Arzen Rose Dulzura

Pinoy Horror Icons: Stars and the roles that gave us the chills

Article (news)

Push Team

<p>From haunted schools to demonic possessions, these Pinoy A-listers proved they could conquer not just teleseryes and romcoms, but also the chilling world of horror.</p><p>Here are six unforgettable celebrities who turned our screens into our scariest nightmares:</p><div> </div><div><strong>Kim Chiu in <em>The Healing</em> (2012)</strong><em></em></div><p>When it comes to horror, Chinita Princess Kim Chiu is no stranger to making our hearts race. In the 2012 Filipino horror film <em>The Healing,</em> she plays Mia, a young woman who miraculously recovers after visiting a faith healer – only to discover that the miracle comes with a deadly curse.</p><p>Kim’s transformation from a hopeful daughter to a terrifying vessel of evil was both emotional and spine-chilling. With her haunting stare and eerie smile, Kim proved she can slay and scare in any genre.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/10/16/kim-chiu-on-the-alibi-ito-na-talaga-yung-pinaka-daring-role-1949"><strong><u>READ: Kim Chiu on ‘The Alibi’: “Ito na talaga &#x27;yung pinaka-daring role!”</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>For her performance, Kim was nominated as Best Supporting Actress at the FAMAS Awards 2013 and Supporting Actress of the Year in Star Awards for Movie 2013.</p><p>Kim also starred in other spooky films such as <em>The Ghost Bride, Huwag Kang Lalabas,</em> and <em>Shake, Rattle, &amp; Roll X</em>.</p><p>Kim Chiu as Mia: </p><div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/dxlITSsMdUE" title="The Healing FULL MOVIE Part 10 | Vilma Santos, Kim Chiu" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>WATCH THE FULL MOVIE HERE: </p><div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/a5jOGAemf5A" title="‘The Healing’ FULL MOVIE | Vilma Santos, Kim Chiu" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong>Jodi Sta. Maria in <em>Clarita</em> (2019)</strong></div><p>The ever-graceful <em>Lavender Fields </em>star Jodi Sta. Maria shocked everyone with her powerful and terrifying portrayal of Clarita Villanueva, a woman possessed by demonic forces. Based on a real-life possession case from the 1950s, this role showed us a new side of Jodi – raw, brave, and downright horrifying.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/9/22/jodi-sta-maria-inspires-the-crowd-at-her-first-rally-hindi-na-natin-ito-puwede-palagpasin-1004"><strong><u>READ: Jodi Sta. Maria inspires the crowd at her first rally: ‘Hindi na natin ito puwede palagpasin’</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Known for her dramatic teleserye roles like <em>Pangako Sa’ýo, </em>Jodi dove fearlessly into physical horror doing all the screaming, contorting, and bringing real emotional depth to Clarita’s torment. She made faith, fear, and possessions feel chillingly real.</p><p>Jodi as Clarita: </p><div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/VI62NjSF3GQ" title="Fr. Salvador attempts to exorcise Claria | Jodi Sta. Maria, Ricky Davao | &#x27;Clarita&#x27; (2/2)" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>WATCH THE FULL MOVIE HERE: </p><div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2qM3SOkLaVk" title="‘Clarita’ FULL MOVIE | Jodi Sta Maria, Ricky Davao" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong>Jean Garcia in <em>Shake, Rattle, &amp; Roll X: Class Picture</em> (2008)</strong></div><p>In Class Picture, Jean Garcia played the character of Sister Maria Belonia, a ghostly nun out for vengeance in one of the most terrifying Shake, Rattle, &amp; Roll stories ever. Jean’s quiet menace and haunting stillness made her performance unforgettable. With every eerie smile and slow approach down a dark hallway, she reminded us why ghosts in Filipino schools hit differently.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/10/26/shake-rattle-roll-evil-origins-promises-fresh-take-on-horror-0920"><strong><u>READ: Shake, Rattle &amp; Roll: Evil Origins’ promises fresh take on horror</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Jean as Sister Maria Belonia: </p><div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nXrrgmXS1pM" title="#RegalRoundUp: Iconic Vengeful Spirits from &quot;Shake, Rattle &amp; Roll&quot; | Regal Entertainment Inc." frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>WATCH THE FULL MOVIE HERE: </p><div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/40apJH81jzk" title="Shake, Rattle &amp; Roll X (2008) | FULL MOVIE" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong>Piolo Pascual in <em>Mallari</em> (2023)</strong></div><p>Piolo Pascual took horror to another level in <em>Mallari</em>, playing not just one but three interconnected characters, including Father Severino Mallari – the first recorded Filipino serial killer.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/10/12/piolo-pascual-marks-his-return-with-star-cinema-after-eight-years-i-m-just-excited-to-be-back-1110"><strong><u>READ: Piolo Pascual marks his return with Star Cinema after eight years: ‘I’m just excited to be back’</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>Piolo’s performance was haunting. He balanced faith, guilt, and madness in a way that left viewers terrified yet empathetic. <em>Mallari</em> proved that even the most angelic faces can hide the darkest souls.</p><p>Piolo as Fr. Severino: </p><div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jZj0OcnUj_Y" title="Mallari - Official Teaser - Piolo Pascual’s first horror film #MallariTheMovie" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: </p><div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MlxxhaggsfM" title="Mallari | Official Trailer" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong>Judy Ann Santos in <em>Mag-Ingat Ka sa Kulam</em> (2008)</strong></div><p>In this supernatural thriller, Judy Ann embraced her dark side as Aileen, a woman who discovers her twin and a horrifying truth tied to witchcraft. Judy Ann’s dual role as both victim and witch gave the film its emotional core and her intense acting made even seasoned horror fans shiver.</p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/celebrities/2025/10/8/judy-ann-santos-extremely-proud-of-daughter-yohan-for-her-music-covers-she-loves-entertaining-0830"><strong><u>READ: Judy Ann Santos extremely proud of daughter Yohan for her music covers: ‘She loves entertaining’</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>WATCH THE FULL MOVIE HERE: </p><div><iframe width="948" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/S0jEPwdUBjw" title="MAG INGAT KA SA KULAM: Judy Ann Santos, Dennis Trillo &amp; TJ Trinidad   |  Full Movie" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div><strong>Gillian Vicencio in <em>Eerie</em> (2019)</strong></div><p>In <em>Eerie,</em> Gillian quietly stole the show as Erika, the ghost haunting an all-girls Catholic school. She didn’t scream. She didn’t chase. She just appeared and terrified everyone.</p><p>Gillian’s quiet performance redefined the modern Filipino ghost – tragic, calm, but impossible to forget. Her distressed face and empty stare became the image of horror in <em>Eerie.</em></p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/3/13/get-to-know-gillian-vicencio-through-this-candid-q-a-2355"><strong><u>READ: Get to know Gillian Vicencio through this candid Q&amp;A</u></strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>WATCH THE TRAILER HERE: </p><div><iframe width="928" height="522" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/XHHtvCft9IU" title="Eerie Official Trailer | Charo Santos &amp; Bea Alonzo | &#x27;Eerie&#x27;" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p> Whether they played haunted victims, witches, or vengeful spirits, these stars proved that Filipino horror is not just about scares but about heart, heritage, and haunting performances that linger long after the credits roll.</p><p>So, this Halloween, turn off the lights, grab your favorite blanket, and let these iconic Filipino horror characters remind you why no one does horror quite like the Pinoys.</p><div> </div><p> —By Alyana Cabuhat De Guzman</p><div><br/></div><div> </div>

<p>These Filipino celebs took on scary roles that became some of the most iconic characters in local cinema.</p>

These Filipino celebs took on scary roles that became some of the most iconic characters in local cinema.