Fans screamed and cameras flashed as KMJS Gabi ng Lagim The Movie made its big screen debut at TriNoMa Cinema Monday night. Some of GMA Network’s biggest names joined the premiere, including Dingdong Dantes, Barbie Forteza, Ysabel Ortega, Jak Roberto, and National Artist Ricky Lee, showing full support for the film, which seasoned journalist Jessica Soho calls the network’s most popular storytelling brand from Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho.
The stars of the movie—Sanya Lopez, Miguel Tanfelix, and Jillian Ward—walked the black carpet, but the loudest cheers came when Jillian Ward appeared on the venue’s video wall for an interview. She was greeted by celebrity guest Eman Bacosa Pacquiao with a warm hug, after which the two formed a heart shape with their hands, sending waves of kilig through the crowd.
at the premiere of ‘KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim The Movie’
Produced by GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs and distributed by Columbia Pictures for Sony Pictures Releasing International, the film comes from the team behind the Philippines’ longest-running, most-watched, and most acclaimed television news magazine program. The same producers were behind the 2023 and 2024 MMFF Best Pictures Firefly and Green Bones.
“Kung natuwa po kayo sa handog ng KMJS na Gabi ng Lagim—‘yung aming yearly Halloween special—ito na po ‘yung next level, mapapanood na ang Gabi ng Lagim sa big screen,” Soho said.
The seasoned journalist added that presenting the TV special on the big screen allows viewers a complete experience: surround audio, bigger scares, more cinematic special effects, and heightened reactions from the audience.
The film features three hair-raising stories drawn from meticulously researched real events, directed by acclaimed filmmakers Yam Laranas, Dodo Dayao, and GMA Public Affairs’ homegrown talent King Mark Baco.
In Pocong, Miguel Tanfelix stars as a cadet seafarer whose first voyage turns terrifying when he encounters hauntings aboard his ship. Written by Onay Sales-Camero and Yam Laranas, and directed by Laranas, the story also features Kristoffer Martin, Jon Lucas, Phi Palmos, Art Acuña, Karl Medina, Arra San Agustin, Elijah Alejo, Gilleth Sandico, and Eva Darren. The pocong, a spirit from Indonesian and Malay folklore, serves as the film’s chilling focus.
Sanya Lopez and Elijah Canlas headline Berbalang, written and directed by Dodo Dayao. When a freshly murdered body disappears from the town morgue, the police chief suspects a local, only to discover whispers of a flesh-eating creature. The cast also includes Rocco Nacino, Mikoy Morales, Joel Saracho, Nicco Manalo, Jojit Lorenzo, and Charles Salazar.
Jillian Ward leads Sanib, where a young girl becomes possessed by an unspeakable evil, forcing a priest-in-training to confront his deepest fears and test his faith. Directed by King Mark Baco and written by Anton Santamaria and Onay Sales-Camero, the film also stars Martin Del Rosario, Epy Quizon, Ashley Ortega, Therese Malvar, Rolando Inocencio, Vince Maristela, Cheska Fausto, Nikki Co, Eli Padilla, Philippe Shoaf, and Lotlot de Leon.
For over a decade, Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho’s Gabi ng Lagim has been the most popular Halloween special on Philippine television, showcasing ghost stories, supernatural encounters, urban legends, and demonic possessions grounded in real events.
The program is also the country’s most viewed Halloween special online, with over 700 million views since 2013. Its cinematic reenactments, directed by some of the nation’s top filmmakers, complete the show’s unforgettable experience.
KMJS Gabi ng Lagim The Movie opens in cinemas today, Nov. 26.
