Their grown-up Christmas wish(es)

To be honest about it, newbies Jon Lucas, Maris Racal, Jane Oineza and Jameson Blake are “haunted” by the prospect of their film being pitted with the veterans in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) which kicks off next Monday, Dec. 25. The only horror film among the eight official entries, Haunted Forest is produced by Regal Entertainment which continues its MMFF tradition of giving moviegoers a welcome good scare.

Directed by international award-winning filmmaker Ian Loreños, Haunted Forest follows the adventure of four friends whose lives are turned upside-down by a Sitsit (a kind of witch) who gets attracted to Jane’s character (with Raymart Santiago as her cop father). Enough said to avoid spoiling the suspense.

Here are thumbnail introduction sketches of the newbies:

= Jon, 22 (Aug. 18, 1995), is a member of It’s Showtime’s Hashtag. Introduced as member of Star Circle 2013, he has done supporting parts in movies (Just The Way You Are and the Fil-Korean movie You & Me) and soaps (Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Got To Believe, We Will Survive and Be Careful With My Heart). He is grieving over the loss of his mother last September and his fellow Hashtag Franco Hernandez (who drowned during a boat ride in Davao).

= Maris, 20 (Sept. 22, 1997), comes from a musical family in Davao where she learned to sing and to play musical instruments at an early age. At 16, she joined PBB (Pinoy Big Brother) and emerged second placer, cheered on by her fans who are known as Mariestellers. The “Singing Sunshine of Davao,” her monicker inside PBB, has become Maris’ unofficial “title.” A Star Magic talent, Maris was introduced as member of the all-girl dance group Girltrends in February last year, and joined ASAP’s new group BFF5.

= Jane, 21 (July 22, 1996), is a graduate of kiddie shows Goin’ Bulilit and Kung Fu Kids. Like Maris, Jane first gained public attention in PBB. She was born the eldest of three siblings in Bani, Pangasinan to Erwin Oineza, a businessman, and Jennifer Urbano. She has appeared in more than 20 TV commercials before she joined the two shows mentioned earlier. She had her acting debut in the TV series Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan (2001-2003). She has received a finalist certificate from New York Festivals 2013 and a nomination from the 41st International Emmy Awards for her performance in an MMK episode in 2012.

= Jameson, 20 (June 17, 1997), is also a member of Hashtag (first batch). He was born in Hong Kong where he spent most of his childhood and pre-teen years. He won Best Supporting Actor for his performance in 2 Cool 2 Be 4gotten and hopes to win more awards as he hopes to play more serious roles. Doing Haunted Forest is a welcome adventure for Jameson who aspires to be good at both drama and comedy…and, why not, in action, too!  

What is your Christmas wish?

Jameson: Whole family gathering. Gusto kong makasama Dad ko, brother ko, ibang relatives who are all abroad.

Jane: For Haunted Forest to be a success and to make the audiences’ Christmas memorable.

Jon: Wish ko lang, dahil wala akong Christmas, mag-Top 3 ang Haunted Forest.

Maris: My wish is for me to be closer to God and to my family.

Recall your happiest and saddest Christmas.

Jameson: Happiest time para sa akin, when I got a bicycle from my Dad. I was a kid then, around four years old. Saddest siguro pag di ko kasama Dad ko on the 25th.

Jane: The happiest is, of course, when all members of my family are accounted for to share noche buena and spend Christmas together.

Jon: All my Decembers are usually happy, except when Christmas comes around kasi, as I have just said, wala akong Christmas, eh.

Maris: My happiest Christmas was in 2014 when I just came out of the PBB (Pinoy Big Brother) house. Since I entered PBB, I didn’t see my family for months. I felt so homesick because I was then just starting to adjust to life in Manila. I was so happy when I was reunited with them. My saddest Christmas was last 2015. I already had a plane ticket to Davao but my flight was cancelled kasi may taping for teleserye. So I spent Christmas sa condo lang. That was my first Christmas away from my family.

What is your favorite Christmas song?

Jameson: Winter Wonderland by Bing Crosby. I like the good old classic songs; they fit the season well.

Jane: Jingle Bell Rock because it really makes me feel the Christmas vibes.

Jon: None, hehehehe!!!

Maris: The Christmas Song because it’s very Christmas-y. It highlights Christmas traditions. And I really love the melody.

What are you thankful for in 2017 and what do you expect in 2018?

Jameson: In 2017, for the blessings, sunod-sunod na projects. In 2018, meeting new people and friends.

Jane: In 2017, for all the blessings and the projects. In 2018, I hope to be even busier and work hard to accomplish more. 

Jon: Siempre, kahit po ang daming nawala sa akin in 2017, I’m still thankful to God because I am alive and healthy, and my dad and sister are still around, including the people who believe in me. In 2018, I wish for more blessings and more friends.

Maris: I am thankful for the opportunities in 2017. I did movies and a concert. I also landed on the cover of some magazines. In 2018, I wish for more opportunities. I hope I will be given more challenging roles because I really want to be known as an actress. In music, sana magkaroon ako ng album. I’ve been writing songs and sana makasama sa pinapangarap kong album.

Anything you want to change about yourself and your career direction in 2018?

Jameson: Improve in my craft, work harder as an artist and make new hobbies.

Jane: I am happy with the path that I am currently taking. I get to explore/experiment with different genres and characters. I just hope I get more chances to do so.

Jon: In 2018, sana maging mahinahon lang ako, come what may. I will accept whatever comes my way. In my career, I promise to work harder, magsisipag po ako at mas gagalingan ko na po ang pag-arte at pakikisama sa tao.

Maris: I will try to be more positive, to always look at the brighter side of life no matter how negative the situation is. Kasi minsan, I feel down very easily. So in 2018, I hope I can be more positive so I can face any struggles…laban lang!

Give three reasons why people, especially kids, should watch Haunted Forest.

Jameson: It’s an exciting horror film. Yung mga gusto ng nakakatakot, this is the right film for you this MMFF. There are many ups and downs in this movie. It is about family, friends and people’s relationship with each other, and how they act and react in every situation. You have to watch out for the new horror character, Sitsit.

Jane: It is the only horror film in the MMFF. It provides not only a good scare and also entertainment, and it teaches lessons and shows a deeper meaning of and importance to time, family and friends.

Jon: No. 1, nakakatakot po talaga siya at siempre, may magandang story lalo na po pam-pamilya. No. 2, the film has a heart; and No. 3, it shows a different kind of adventure.

Maris: It’s a film na may puso. Hindi ka lang matatakot, may aral ka pang matututuhan. The film is for everybody — sa mga bata, sa mga matatanda, mag-partner, mag-barkada.

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