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This October, we’re slowly easing into the -ber months! But before we go full-speed ahead into the -ber months, we deep dive into the spooky season. It’s a short break, but it’s a time not only to commemorate those who we have lost and departed but also spooky times – and the supernatural around us.
Some people prefer to celebrate by trick-or-treating. Meanwhile, some people commemorate it by watching spooky episodes. In the Philippines, we’ve got Maalala Mo Kaya (Do You Remember?), a long-running anthology drama series featuring shared life experiences and stories of Filipinos worldwide. Every spooky season (late October to early November), as part of television’s efforts to celebrate the season, MMK showcases special episodes aligned with the horror theme.
We’ve compiled a few of them!
Itlog (Joshua Garcia, Arjo Atayde)
This notable episode features one of the hottest actors today, Joshua Garcia! It takes place on a farm. Joshua Garcia plays Pablo, the eldest son of a pastor (Dominic Ochoa) and his wife (Assunta De Rossi). They lived on a farm and had a happy family, with Pablo having a lovely childhood and a home filled with love. Everything changed when the pastor brought home a stranger (Arjo Atayde), and their beautiful family has fractured ever since then.
The absolute horror in the story is the link between Atayde’s character and the supernatural, as since he arrived in the town, the town has also started to get sightings of a man with long hair and in a black cloak. Another excellent horror element in the story is the experience of chaos in which Pablo’s family becomes embroiled.
Tulay (Rica Peralejo, Ara Mina)
Ara Mina and Marvin Agustin lead this drama with a sense of tragedy. Ara Mina plays a teacher with an enviable life: academic credentials, the adoration of her students, and a long-term boyfriend. However, when she begins to battle strange diseases and strife in her personal life, little does she know that it will be a curse placed on her by a jealous co-worker.
This episode features witchcraft and sound special effects for its time, a fun supporting role with Desiree Del Valle, and the talents of Rica Peralejo. Its moral lesson is also beautiful in hindsight – that the power of love and good will always triumph over evil, alongside the strong will of the human person.
Manok (Precious Lara Quigaman, Sylvia Sanchez)
This episode is one of the older MMK episodes featuring Precious Lara Quigaman. She plays a young mother who goes above and beyond to befriend the local outcast of the town, who takes on vampirelike qualities.
This is a beautiful subversion of the horror genre. Instead, it is about the beauty of friendship despite differences between people and the judgment familiar people have on those with abnormalities who are not “regular.”
Karayom (Jolina Magdangal, Marvin Agustin)
If you’re old enough to remember the famous Marvin-Jolina tandem, you may be old enough to remember this episode! Marvin and Jolina take on the horror genre, and star-crossed lovers trope in this episode. Jolina’s father is against their relationship because Marvin’s mother is a practitioner of black magic.
The two star-crossed lovers go against the curse Marvin’s mom places on them.
Dream House (Irma Adlawan, Bembol Roco)
Last, Dream House features Irma Adlawan as Minda, a wife with an ill-tempered but well-meaning husband, Paeng (Bembol Roco). Many of the themes in most MMK episodes revolve around parents or children themselves securing financial independence for their family—this is relatable for most Filipinos, who bet on bingo and e-bingo Philippines for a chance at financial gain. Interestingly, Minda is one of the rare cases where she has some financial safety net; she has the money to buy a cheap house.
When she buys a cheap house in hopes of turning things around between her children and her husband, things turn for the worse—her husband’s temper worsens, and troubled ghosts appear to her children.
This episode is harrowing because of the double haunting of old ghosts and family discord. Bembol Roco perfectly plays the ill-tempered paterfamilias who doubt the house’s horrors. Its music, sound, and imagery effectively tell a horror story.
Wrapping Up
With this spooky season, you can watch these episodes for free on YouTube! These episodes feature some of the most haunting stories in the Filipino consciousness and the power of love and family, even if real horrors come. Happy spooky season!