Kim Chiu’s ‘Bawal Lumabas’ comes full circle

From a little blunder where  Kim Chiu  just wanted ABS-CBN to have its franchise renewed, “Bawal Lumabas” has come full circle. From becoming a viral meme, it became a trending song, merchandise for a cause, a series, and now it has inspired a movie.

“Gusto ko lang naman marenew ang  franchise  ng  network, nabash na ko,” the 31-year-old actress and TV host said in jest during the press preview of Obra Cinema’s  Huwag Kang Lalabas, a Metro Manila Film Festival 2021 entry.

“Now it has come full circle. I’m just happy that after  ako mabash at tapaktapakan, I was able to turn things around. It may not be good for me before, slowly I’m already gaining from it now.”

Kim is one of the lead stars in  Huwang Kang Lalabas, a horror trilogy (three metaphorical stories-folklore and urban legends) under the direction of  Adolf Borinaga Alix, Jr. It is also  Kim’s return to horror after headlining  The Healing  (2012),  The Ghost Bride  (2017), and  U-Turn  (2020).

In her episode,  Kim plays a returning domestic worker who brings home a unique memento from Japan. While in a mandatory quarantine in a hotel in Baguio, she experiences creepy sightings of an old man who tries to warn her about the facility she and other OFWs are staying in. A few days into their quarantine, they are informed that some of them are testing positive for COVID-19 and must be isolated. Little do they know that the people who are running the hotel have other agenda.

In ‘Hotel,’ Kim is an OFW who goes through quarantine due to the pandemic. She has a very relatable character. Especially so among those who have experienced lockdown. Kim excels in horror. The twist in her episode is something to watch for,” director Adolf said of Kim and the role she plays.

Joining Kim in the “Hotel” episode are  Jameson Blake, Tina Paner, Brenda Mage, Donna Carriaga, Rico Barrera, and  Allan Paule. Other headliners  are  Aiko Melendez, Joaquin Domagoso, James Blanco, Bembol Roco, Dave Bornea, Ayesha Cervantes,  and  Soliman Cruz  in “Bahay”; and  Beauty Gonzales, Elizabeth Oropesa, Yasser Marta, Matet de Leon, Tanya Gomez,  and  Marcus Madrigal  in “Kumbento.”

“It’s worth the ticket because they’ll see three stories. And three different frightening stories. Each story can be for any member of the family. And they should be ready for the twist in every story,” added the director.