Chito's version of 'careless whisper'

MANILA, Philippines -  Director Chito Roño is the award-winning filmmaker who gave us the box-office hits and cinematic gems Feng Shui, Sukob and T2.

This time, he and Star Cinema tackle a custom countless Filipinos believe in, that of whispering one’s deepest desires to the departed.

Bulong is an undying pamahiin wherein a living person whispers his or her wish to the dead.

Trivia King Kim Atienza says, “We inherited the belief from the Spaniards and the Filipinos practise it till now. The Chinese whisper to their departed so that their souls can cross over to the afterlife. What makes pagbulong a sensitive act for Pinoys is the possibility that it could bring misfortune after you whisper a wish for good luck to the departed.”

Direk Chito depicts a story about events getting out of hand when the main character overdoes things after he whispers his wish to the dead.

“It’s a humorous story about people who believe in whispering wishes to the dead. It’s about a well-intended wish which went wrong. I wanted to do something that’s not outright horror. But it had to have a supernatural aspect. It’s about a person who makes a desperate move and asks help from the spirit of the recently-departed. This makes Bulong not the typical movie for children . It has unpredictable humor.

After many years, we will see the comeback of the comedy-horror genre,” says Roño.

Bulong opens today in 100 theaters nationwide.