Learning the ropes of horror-comedy

MANILA, Philippines - Playing the earth-bound Charlie on TV5’s #ParangNormal Activity is a breather for Ella Cruz, whose most recent character was that of a teen mom in a late-afternoon soap. Ella has gone beyond her comfort zone as she is learning the ropes of horror and comedy.

So far, Ella is doing good and so is #ParangNormal Activity, which has created a following among the young audience and garnered social chatter.

“Acting (in horror scenes) is difficult. You need to imagine that something is scary and you have to imbibe it,” said Ella of topbilling the Kapatid Saturday primetime show. “(The frightening look) should be seen in your face, in your eyes and (in your action like) the way you shiver. There are times that my character, who is a ghost herself, gets scared as she encounters other ghosts. My character knows that she is a ghost but the boys (in the story) have no idea. She has an unfinished business and can’t move on, making herself at peace.”

Ella’s Charlie is part of a school’s Paranormal Club with members Third, Makoy and Red played by Shaun Salvador, Ryle Paolo Santiago and Andre Garcia, respectively. They will solve mysteries and meet supernatural creatures such as ghouls, manananggal and zombies.

A self-confessed “matatakutin,” Ella shared that she had an eerie experience on the set of #ParangNormal Activity.  

“While we were doing a scene, where I had to blow a candle on a table full of food, we saw the food move. (We were like caught unaware.) It was unexpected. We were waiting for the director’s cue,” she recalled. “And I immediately screamed and held on to my co-star. When I’m reading the script, I also get scared and much more when we are in the scene. Yung pagiging matatakutin ko nakakatulong din sa pag-acting ko. But I enjoy doing (the show) because it lessens my fear (of the unknown and the supernatural) every time.”

Does she believe in ghosts — and even elementals — that could be living among us?

“I believe that ghosts exist, although I haven’t encountered a ghost who seeks help,” replied Ella, who fears aswang (shape shifter) more than kapre (giant-monster). “Iba ang magagawa ng aswang. Yung kapre tatakutin ka lang. (I think it could do more harm on you, while the kapre will just scare you).”

Recently, Ella’s fear of the supernatural was again tested as she and #ParangNormalActivity co-stars headed to Baguio City, which has its own share of spooky places like the Diplomat Hotel and the Laperal White House. The cast taped an episode there and took the challenge of taking the fright night tour.

“Matatakutin talaga ako (I get scared easily),” said Ella before participating in the tour. “Papunta pa lang dito, nagdadasal na ako. I’m also excited. You know, you want to do it but something is preventing you kasi nauna yung takot mo. I want to do it for the experience and for fun. It’s a way to overcome my fear. It’s my first time to visit the Laperal (White) House, a haunted house. May nagpaparamdam talaga at hindi lang isa ang namatay dun. (There are ghost sightings in the house and it’s not just one person who died there.) It was an interrogation house during the Japanese era.”

Televiewers have seen Ella shuttling from one network to another. And the young actress feels privileged of this working set-up.

“It’s alright with me,” she said. “I’m happy. But others sometimes get confused.” What matters to Ella is, she has work and can show her potential in horror-comedy.

Again, #ParangNormal Activity has made a dent in the ratings.

“It must be the story,” explained Ella of the show’s good showing. “Every week and every episode, iba-iba (we show something new) and the show caters to the young audience. They can follow the love team (between me and Shaun’s character). There’s also the revelation of Charlie’s true identity. I think it is the only horror-comedy now being aired (on TV). It is something new to the young generation.”

Also with Ella in the Baguio trip was Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, the narrator Lola B in LolaBasyang.com, which is another weekend primetime hit of TV5.

“We are doing a series of reading along to encourage children to go back to book reading as well as (to encourage) parents guide their kids to go back to that. Of course, napaka-convenient na magbasa sa pamamagitan ng Internet. We also encourage that because that’s what LolaBasyang.com is all about technically. Sana ’wag lang makalimutang magbasa ng libro.”

That’s what Boots did to the kids of ambulant vendors of Burnham Park. She showed the modern version of the timeless Philippine literature icon Lola Basyang. The character now sports a nice top paired with denim pants. She is familiar with the cyber space jargons and adept with new gadgets and social media. She blogs and posts tweets.
Although Lola Basyang has changed physically, her style of telling stories remains the same and the tales always remind one of the beauty of Filipino culture, encompassing traditions and values.

(LolaBasyang.com and #ParangNormal Activity air Saturdays at 7 p.m. and 8 p.m., respectively.)