Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B
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- Summary:**
- Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B* (lit. "The Manananggal at Unit 23B") is a 2016 Filipino independent film directed by Prime Cruz for The IdeaFirst Company. It stars Ryza Cenon, Martin del Rosario, Cholo Barretto, and Vangie Labalan. The film, categorized under the genre "Romantic Gore," centers on Jewel, portrayed by Cenon, a lonely manananggal who falls in love with Nico (del Rosario), a man grappling with low self-esteem. Her internal conflict arises between loving Nico or saving him from herself.
The production aimed to reframe the manananggal—a local folklore creature—as a protagonist rather than an antagonist, adding human traits for relatability. The film included mature scenes involving Cenon, including masturbation and a scene with Barretto; these were shot over two days with an all-female crew. Adjustments and additional scenes were made following initial audience feedback at the QCinema International Film Festival.
Premiering in October 2016 at QCinema, *Ang Manananggal sa Unit 23B* had its commercial release on August 16, 2017, as part of the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino.