Shake, Rattle & Roll refuses to stay in the shadows, guided by Regal president and CEO Roselle Monteverde and her son, executive vice president Keith Monteverde Teo, who now carry forward Mother Lily Monteverde’s legacy in shaping the Philippine horror genre.
Just when you think the legendary franchise has run its course, it returns to cinemas and captures the nation’s imagination once more.
Now on its 17th outing, Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins arrives at the Metro Manila Film Festival as a personal tribute to the woman who built the Regal empire.
That devotion was clear at the film’s grand launch at Gateway Cinema, one of the most star-studded showbiz gatherings of the year.
Asked what it meant to revive SRR barely a year after Mother Lily’s passing, Keith’s answer came with emotion.
“It means the world to me,” he said. “Shake was the first horror movie I watched with my Lola. When I came home [after leaving a career in the US], I knew I wanted to do this. Working with my mom and the team makes it even more special.”
Roselle added that Evil Origins may be the franchise’s most deliberate installment yet. SRR, she said, has remained a tradition, but traditions must evolve, and that’s exactly what they are doing in steering the franchise.
“The tradition of ‘Shake’ has always been excellence,” she explained. “That’s the standard we hold ourselves to.”
It was that pursuit of quality, she admitted, that kept Regal from producing yearly sequels.
“We didn’t make a ‘Shake’ movie for some years because we couldn’t find the right concept. It’s hard. When we began this two years ago, the question became, “What can we do differently?” The answer was to connect the episodes.”
For the first time in SRR history, the film unfolds as a three-part saga linked through time—from 1775 to 2025 to 2050—stitching together a single story of terror across centuries. “You can’t miss an episode,” Roselle said. “It’s one story crafted with care—from production and design to the performances.”
The cast carries the franchise’s long, eerie shadow. Horror veterans Janice de Belen and Manilyn Reynes return, joined by today’s biggest names.
Richard Gutierrez, leading the 2025 segment, knows the weight of joining such a legacy. “It’s an honor,” he said. “Just being part of Shake already feels like a milestone.”
Carla Abellana, appearing in the first chapter, confessed to feeling the pressure of setting the tone. “The first episode carries a lot of responsibility,” she said. “It sets the mood for everything. But based on the teaser reaction, I think we did well.”
Manilyn, whose earlier appearances remain etched in local horror history, believes the new film holds its ground. “I’ve done some of the most iconic episodes,” she said. “And this one can match them.”
Alongside the veterans, a younger generation steps in—Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Kaila Estrada, Loisa Andalio, and Elijah Alejo—many of whom were children or not yet born when SRR began terrifying audiences. They join Ivana Alawi, Arlene Muhlach, Ara Mina, and a long list of seasoned performers to complete the multigenerational ensemble.
The film’s true heart remains its dedication to Mother Lily, according to Roselle.
“This was mom’s baby,” she said quietly. “We made sure it would be worthy.”
And by all early signs, Evil Origins is exactly that—a loving tribute, a chilling revival, and a reminder that no matter the decade, Filipinos will always show up for a good scare.
Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins opens Dec. 25 as an official entry to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival.
