Sundo
Encyclopedia
Sundo is a 2009 Filipino
suspense-thriller film
from director
Topel Lee
, with screenplay written by his Ouija
screenwriter Aloy Adlawan
. The film stars Robin Padilla
, Katrina Halili
, Rhian Ramos
, Hero Angeles
, Mark Bautista
and Sunshine Dizon
. The film was released on March 18, 2009.
) who was killed when she was visited by her long dead husband as her companion. The film then cuts to Romano (Robin Padilla
), a retired military operative who goes into seclusion after being seriously wounded in battle and almost died, discovers that he has the uncanny ability of seeing ghosts around people who will soon encounter sudden, disastrous deaths. Worried of his brother, Romano’s blind sister Isabel (Rhian Ramos
) persuades him to return to Manila with the help of Louella (Sunshine Dizon
), Romano’s childhood friend who harbors affection for him.
An aspiring actress, Kristina (Katrina Halili
), a widow, Lumen (Glydel Mercado), and her nephew, Eric (Hero Angeles
) hitch a ride with Romano, Isabel and Louella along with Louella’s driver, Baste (Mark Bautista
). On their way back to the city, the group manages to avoid a fatal accident on the road and their respective “sundo” or ghost companion by a twist of fate. After surviving, the group took their supper in a local eater somewhere in Baguio. Lumen, who was eager to pee, went into the bathroom where she died as a rail spike pins her head. Soon, Eric died in a series of odd reaction similar to Final Destination
happened as he was electricuted.
The group realized that there is a way to cheat death as Baste and Romano nearly survives a large explosion in a public market killing a large populace. Then the group starts to die in gruesome ways and Kristina, Baste and Isabel died in mysterious ways. Romano was confronted by death for the last time in the rooftop and he fell in the tower towards the pool. He rose up the pool and saw Louella grieving not because of Romano but how she want to avenge her father's death (in the film was a family matters). Romano turns around and saw his dead body lying on the pool and he was the ghost companion of Louella, the last one to die.
for his ability to genuinely scare the audience, as like from his previous horror film efforts like Ouija
and Yaya
. However, the film is criticized for being "too violent" for a PG-13 movie by critic Veronica R. Samio, whilst praising the film for its fast pace and screenwriter Aloy Adlawan
's "shocking" twist ending.
The final gross of the movie is P100,079,566 according to box office mojo.
. The DVD contained the full-length trailer of the movie. The DVD/VCD was released in 2009.
Cinema of the Philippines
Cinema of the Philippines started with the introduction of the first moving pictures to the country on January 1, 1897 at the Salón de Pertierra in Manila. The following year, local scenes were shot on film for the first time by a Spaniard, Antonio Ramos, using the Lumiere Cinematograph...
suspense-thriller film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
from director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Topel Lee
Topel Lee
Topel Lee is an acclaimed Filipino film director, TV director and music video director known for the cinematography in his movies and his strong female characters.- Television :* 2011 Mistaken Identity* 2009 Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin...
, with screenplay written by his Ouija
Ouija (film)
Ouija is an award-winning 2007 Filipino horror-thriller film from director Topel Lee, his first feature length, from the screenplay by Aloy Adlawan...
screenwriter Aloy Adlawan
Aloy Adlawan
A Chemical Engineer by profession, Aloy Adlawan is a multi-awarded Filipino filmmaker- writer, producer, director, composer...
. The film stars Robin Padilla
Robin Padilla
Robinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla better known by his stage name Robin Padilla is a Filipino film and television action star. He is the younger brother of actors BB Gandanghari, Rommel Padilla and Royette Padilla...
, Katrina Halili
Katrina Halili
Katrina Halili is a Filipina actress, commercial model and music producer. She made her screen debut via StarStruck, but did not gain popularity until playing the antagonist roles in Darna, Majika and MariMar and becoming the protagonist in One Night Only, Gagambino and Magdusa...
, Rhian Ramos
Rhian Ramos
Rhian Denise Ramos Howell, who is better known by her stage name Rhian Ramos , is a Filipina actress, commercial model and singer.-Biography:...
, Hero Angeles
Hero Angeles
Hero Angeles is a Filipino actor. Hero Angeles bested four other contestants in the Grand Finals for the title "Grand Teen Questor" in the first season of ABS-CBN's popular reality star search in the Philippines, Star Circle Quest.- Career:After bagging the title as the first "Grand Teen Questor"...
, Mark Bautista
Mark Bautista
Mark Bautista is a Filipino singer, actor and commercial model. Born into a large, impoverished family in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Bautista received his career break when he was a Grand finalist on Philippine reality TV talent search Star for a Night and eventually placed second behind...
and Sunshine Dizon
Sunshine Dizon
Sunshine Dizon is a Filipina actress. She started in show business when she was three years old.-Biography:...
. The film was released on March 18, 2009.
Plot
The film opens with Vanessa (Iza CalzadoIza Calzado
Iza Calzado is a Filipina actress, TV host, performer and model, working as one of GMA-7's contract artists.- Biography :...
) who was killed when she was visited by her long dead husband as her companion. The film then cuts to Romano (Robin Padilla
Robin Padilla
Robinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla better known by his stage name Robin Padilla is a Filipino film and television action star. He is the younger brother of actors BB Gandanghari, Rommel Padilla and Royette Padilla...
), a retired military operative who goes into seclusion after being seriously wounded in battle and almost died, discovers that he has the uncanny ability of seeing ghosts around people who will soon encounter sudden, disastrous deaths. Worried of his brother, Romano’s blind sister Isabel (Rhian Ramos
Rhian Ramos
Rhian Denise Ramos Howell, who is better known by her stage name Rhian Ramos , is a Filipina actress, commercial model and singer.-Biography:...
) persuades him to return to Manila with the help of Louella (Sunshine Dizon
Sunshine Dizon
Sunshine Dizon is a Filipina actress. She started in show business when she was three years old.-Biography:...
), Romano’s childhood friend who harbors affection for him.
An aspiring actress, Kristina (Katrina Halili
Katrina Halili
Katrina Halili is a Filipina actress, commercial model and music producer. She made her screen debut via StarStruck, but did not gain popularity until playing the antagonist roles in Darna, Majika and MariMar and becoming the protagonist in One Night Only, Gagambino and Magdusa...
), a widow, Lumen (Glydel Mercado), and her nephew, Eric (Hero Angeles
Hero Angeles
Hero Angeles is a Filipino actor. Hero Angeles bested four other contestants in the Grand Finals for the title "Grand Teen Questor" in the first season of ABS-CBN's popular reality star search in the Philippines, Star Circle Quest.- Career:After bagging the title as the first "Grand Teen Questor"...
) hitch a ride with Romano, Isabel and Louella along with Louella’s driver, Baste (Mark Bautista
Mark Bautista
Mark Bautista is a Filipino singer, actor and commercial model. Born into a large, impoverished family in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Bautista received his career break when he was a Grand finalist on Philippine reality TV talent search Star for a Night and eventually placed second behind...
). On their way back to the city, the group manages to avoid a fatal accident on the road and their respective “sundo” or ghost companion by a twist of fate. After surviving, the group took their supper in a local eater somewhere in Baguio. Lumen, who was eager to pee, went into the bathroom where she died as a rail spike pins her head. Soon, Eric died in a series of odd reaction similar to Final Destination
Final Destination
Final Destination is a 2000 supernatural slasher film written and directed by James Wong. The film was co-written by Glen Morgan and Jeffrey Reddick, both of them having previously worked with Wong in the TV series The X-Files. The film stars Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith and Tony Todd...
happened as he was electricuted.
The group realized that there is a way to cheat death as Baste and Romano nearly survives a large explosion in a public market killing a large populace. Then the group starts to die in gruesome ways and Kristina, Baste and Isabel died in mysterious ways. Romano was confronted by death for the last time in the rooftop and he fell in the tower towards the pool. He rose up the pool and saw Louella grieving not because of Romano but how she want to avenge her father's death (in the film was a family matters). Romano turns around and saw his dead body lying on the pool and he was the ghost companion of Louella, the last one to die.
Principal cast
- Robin PadillaRobin PadillaRobinhood Ferdinand Cariño Padilla better known by his stage name Robin Padilla is a Filipino film and television action star. He is the younger brother of actors BB Gandanghari, Rommel Padilla and Royette Padilla...
as Romano - Sunshine DizonSunshine DizonSunshine Dizon is a Filipina actress. She started in show business when she was three years old.-Biography:...
as Louella - Rhian RamosRhian RamosRhian Denise Ramos Howell, who is better known by her stage name Rhian Ramos , is a Filipina actress, commercial model and singer.-Biography:...
as Isabel - Katrina HaliliKatrina HaliliKatrina Halili is a Filipina actress, commercial model and music producer. She made her screen debut via StarStruck, but did not gain popularity until playing the antagonist roles in Darna, Majika and MariMar and becoming the protagonist in One Night Only, Gagambino and Magdusa...
as Kristina - Hero AngelesHero AngelesHero Angeles is a Filipino actor. Hero Angeles bested four other contestants in the Grand Finals for the title "Grand Teen Questor" in the first season of ABS-CBN's popular reality star search in the Philippines, Star Circle Quest.- Career:After bagging the title as the first "Grand Teen Questor"...
as Eric - Mark BautistaMark BautistaMark Bautista is a Filipino singer, actor and commercial model. Born into a large, impoverished family in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines. Bautista received his career break when he was a Grand finalist on Philippine reality TV talent search Star for a Night and eventually placed second behind...
as Baste - Glydel Mercado as Lumen
- Jacklyn JoseJacklyn JoseJaclyn Jose, born Mary Jane Sta. Ana Guck on March 16, 1964 in Angeles City, Pampanga Philippines and known for her memorable roles in the films, Salome, White Slavery, and Santa Juana, is a versatile Filipina cinematic and television actress having captured best actress accolades in both local and...
as Mercedes - Iza CalzadoIza CalzadoIza Calzado is a Filipina actress, TV host, performer and model, working as one of GMA-7's contract artists.- Biography :...
as Vanessa
Reception
The film opened with favorable reviews, obtaining a B grade from the Cinema Evaluation Board, and a PG-13 rating from the MTRCB (Movie and Television Review and Classification Board) - the country's film rating system. Critic Nitz Miralles described the film as "a high octane horror", she continuous to praise director Topel LeeTopel Lee
Topel Lee is an acclaimed Filipino film director, TV director and music video director known for the cinematography in his movies and his strong female characters.- Television :* 2011 Mistaken Identity* 2009 Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin...
for his ability to genuinely scare the audience, as like from his previous horror film efforts like Ouija
Ouija (film)
Ouija is an award-winning 2007 Filipino horror-thriller film from director Topel Lee, his first feature length, from the screenplay by Aloy Adlawan...
and Yaya
Shake, Rattle & Roll 8
Shake, Rattle and Roll 8 is a 2006 horror film and was an entry for the 32nd Metro Manila Film Festival. The film is the 8th installment of the Shake, Rattle & Roll series and contains three segments.-Overview:...
. However, the film is criticized for being "too violent" for a PG-13 movie by critic Veronica R. Samio, whilst praising the film for its fast pace and screenwriter Aloy Adlawan
Aloy Adlawan
A Chemical Engineer by profession, Aloy Adlawan is a multi-awarded Filipino filmmaker- writer, producer, director, composer...
's "shocking" twist ending.
The final gross of the movie is P100,079,566 according to box office mojo.
Media Release
The series was released onto DVD-format and VCD-format by GMA RecordsGMA Records
GMA Records, created in the last quarter of 2003, is a records company that releases music albums, and many of the albums have been platinum and gold record award albums. In 2005 GMA Records released a film titled "Let the Love Begin" on DVD and VCD, and when that was such a success they succeeded...
. The DVD contained the full-length trailer of the movie. The DVD/VCD was released in 2009.