Corazon Ang Unang Aswang revolves around a married couple, Corazon and Daniel, who have been longing to have a child for a very long time. They reside in the peaceful town of Magdalena. After much struggle, Corazon eventually gives birth to a child, but tragically, the infant dies shortly after. This devastating loss triggers a transformation in Corazon, turning her into a terrifying Aswang creature that instills fear in the village.
The movie takes place in 1946 and deviates significantly from the typical scary Aswang films that viewers might expect based on its title. Instead, it delves into the Filipino myth surrounding the “Aswang.” Interestingly, the term “Aswang” is never mentioned throughout the entire film. According to superstition, Aswangs consume both human and animal flesh, and in this narrative, Corazon engages in such gruesome acts.
I found Erich Gonzales‘ portrayal of Corazon to be remarkable, depicting a rural woman facing ridicule from her village due to her infertility. Although the scenario may seem cliché, Gonzales truly embodies the role. Her innocent charm, along with Derek Ramsay‘s charismatic performance as Daniel, her devoted husband, likely breathed life into the film, their performance saved the film from its sluggish pacing.
Supporting characters Mon Confiado and Mark Gil delivered stellar performances! However, it was Jeffrey Quizon, who portrayed Daniel’s best friend and provided narration at some point who gave the best performance, deserving of an A+ for his convincing portrayal. I, on the other hand, found Tetchie Agbayani’s character to be unnecessary, primarily serving to establish parallels between her past experiences and Corazon’s future. This characterization felt overly predictable, offering little surprise to the audience.
There are a lot of inconsistencies and loopholes in the plot, but I found myself drawn into the film’s atmosphere, making it difficult to pinpoint specific issues. I couldn’t help but question certain aspects though, such as Corazon’s lack of superpowers. If she consumes dead human flesh, shouldn’t she either perish or become poisoned and eventually die? Perhaps I’m underestimating this fact, or maybe she did acquire supernatural abilities that weren’t explicitly mentioned in the film. Additionally, the scenes depicting Corazon in her malevolent state reminded me of the “monsters” seen in other Asian horror films like The Ring and The Grudge. Nevertheless, these visuals enhanced each scene, adding to the overall intensity of the film.
On a more positive though, I found the cinematography of the film to be exceptionally well done. Each frame was captured with remarkable consistency, and the accompanying score deserves praise for enhancing the atmosphere of crucial scenes. One scene that stood out to me was when Corazon ventured to the hill to pray for two weeks; the scene incredibly eerie and Erin was just manificent there.
Overall, the film’s plot doesn’t offer much substance, narrowly focusing on the dramatization of the purported first “Aswang,” a creature conceived by the townspeople that later became a part of Filipino folklore. However, one positive aspect is the subtle incorporation of our enduring folklore, which younger viewers may or may not fully appreciate.
Rating: 6/10
Director: Richard Somes
Main Cast: Erich Gonzales, Derek Ramsay, Mark Gil, Jeffrey Quizon, Mon Confiado, Tetchie Agbayani
Special Screening at Shangrila Cineplex 4 on March 14, 2012 Officiated by the Ericholics
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