Tiyanak (film)

Not to be confused with Tiyanaks.

Tiyanak is a 1988 Filipino horror film directed by Peque Gallaga and Lorenzo A. Reyes from a story and screenplay they co-written with Don Escudero, based on the mythical creature of the same name. It stars Janice de Belen, Lotlot de Leon, Ramon Christopher, Mary Walter, Chuckie Dreyfus, Carmina Villarroel, Rudolph Yaptinchay, and Smokey Manaloto.

Tiyanak
Directed by	Peque Gallaga Lorenzo A. Reyes
Written by	Peque Gallaga Don Escudero Lorenzo A. Reyes
Produced by	Jenny Luber
Starring	Janice de Belen Lotlot de Leon Ramon Christopher Mary Walter Chuckie Dreyfus Carmina Villarroel Rudolph Yaptinchay Smokey Manaloto
Cinematography	Eduardo F. Jacinto
Edited by	Augusto Salvador
Music by	Dionisio Buencamino Jr.
Production company	Regal Films
Release date	September 15, 1988 (1988-09-15)
Running time	122 minutes[1]
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

Tiyanak was released by Regal Films on September 15, 1988.^[2][3][4] Though other critics were disappointed with the film, Tiyanak received praise from Lav Diaz for being remarkably frightening. Eduardo Jacinto won the Film Academy of the Philippines Award for Best Cinematography.

Cast

• Janice de Belen as Julie^[5]
• Lotlot de Leon as Christie^[5]
• Ramon Christopher as Jojo^[5]
• Mary Walter
• Chuckie Dreyfus as Aries^[1]
• Carmina Villarroel as Monica^[1]
• Rudolph Yaptinchay as Mars
• Smokey Manaloto
• Bella Flores
• Betty Mae Piccio
• Eva Ramos
• Suzanne Gonzales
• Mae Ann Adonis
• Bonafe
• Zorayda Sanchez as Telyang Bayawak

Critical response

The film received negative reviews from critics. Mario Hernando, film critic for the television program Movie Magazine, gave the film two stars out of five.^[6] Meg Mendoza of the Manila Standard was more negative, writing that the film had predictable and manipulative horror scenes, as well as tedious pacing, though she commended the special effects and the performances of Villarroel and Manaloto. Overall, Mendoza expressed disappointment, stating that "we could hardly believe it was directed by award-winning director Peque Gallaga, who gave us the magnum opus Oro, Plata, Mata.^[7]

However, Lav Diaz, who also wrote for the Manila Standard, gave high praises to the film, stating that "films like Tiyanak, even when it is horror, are the ones that will save or contribute quality to the development of Filipino cinema.... One thing that elevates this film is its success in achieving its ambition – to scare. [It is] really scary."^[8]

In 2000, historian Ambeth Ocampo stated that "[Tiyanak] is a horror film so camp and funny it is downright memorable."^[9]

Accolades

Group	Category	Name	Result
Film Academy of the Philippines Awards[10]	Best Cinematography	Eduardo Jacinto	Won