“Kinabahan ako pero I couldn’t let it pass,” says Janella about working with Piolo Pascual
Janella Salvador is back in the horror genre after four years.
She plays the leading lady of Piolo Pascual in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 entry, “Mallari,” which tackles the story of Severino Mallari, the first and only recorded Filipino serial killer.
READ: Piolo Pascual Reveals He Almost Declined Doing MMFF Entry “Mallari”
During the December 1 media conference for the film, Janella revealed that before being part of “Mallari,” she wanted to take a break from doing horror projects.
She relates, “Sabi ko sa sarili ko, parang gusto ko na magpahinga sa horror kasi medyo nata-typecast na rin ako sa horror.”
Before doing “Mallari,” Janella has been doing several horror and thriller projects, especially on the big screen.
Her first movie was the 2015 MMFF entry “Haunted Mansion” produced by Regal Films. She also headlined the 2017 Star Cinema thriller “Bloody Crayons” and the 2019 gothic TV drama series “The Killer Bride.”
She continues, “Parang naging tuluy-tuloy yung horror and I said gusto ko muna magpahinga.”
However, when she was offered the role in “Mallari” and read the script, it was a project too good to refuse.
“As soon as I read the script, sabi ko, this is something na hindi ko siya pwedeng palagpasin.
“It’s so well-written, it’s very detailed kahit hindi mo siya maiintindihan fully if you just read it. But it’s so detailed and beautifully written and up to the smallest characters, everything is well-written.”
But admittedly, Janella also felt pressure because it is her first time working—and even to be paired with Piolo, who plays three roles in the movie.
“Pero kinabahan ako ng slight dahil hindi ko lang makakatrabaho dito si Papa P, partner ko pa siya! Kinabahan ako pero I couldn’t let it pass.”
“Mallari” is a partly fictional, partly true-to-life account inspired by the true story of Fr. Severino Mallari, a priest in the 1800s who killed 57 people before being caught.
The film is directed by Derick Cabrido with a script penned by Enrico C. Santos and produced by Mentorque Productions. It has recently been acquired for distribution by Warner Bros.
“Mallari” is one of the 10 MMFF entries to be shown on December 25, 2023.
READ: Here’s What You Need To Know About The MMFF 2023 Entries
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