MARICEL SORIANO IN CHITO ROÑO'S "T2" (2009)

Left- T2 (2009)- Stars Maricel Soriano, Mika Dela Cruz, Derek Ramsey, Eric Fructuoso, Techie Agbayani, Camille Prats/ Directed by Chito Roño

Right- Photo shows Maricel Soriano, Mika dela Cruz and director Chito Roño.

Director Chito Roño is reunited with Diamond Star Maricel Soriano for the fifth time in Star Cinema’s horror movie, T2 (Tenement 2). The last four movies that they did were Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin (1993), Separada (1994), Dahas (1995) and Nasaan ang Puso (1998).

Left- Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin (1993)- Stars Maricel Soriano, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Mat Ranillo III and Gabby Concepcion/with Rina Reyes, Amado Cortes, Carol Dauden/ Directed by Chito Roño

Right- Separada (1994)- Stars Maricel Soriano, Edu Manzano, Sharmaine Arnaiz, Dennis Roldan, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Teresa Loyzaga, Patrick Garcia, Angelica Panganiban/ Directed by Chito Roño

Left- Dahas (1995)- Stars Maricel Soriano, Richard Gomez, Tonton Gutierrez, Efren Reyes, Jr., Sheila Ysrael, Maila Gumila/ Directed by Chito Roño

Right- Nasaan ang Puso (1998)- Stars Maricel Soriano, Judy Ann Santos and Christopher de Leon/ with Spencer Reyes, Gina Pareño, Ronaldo Valdez/ Directed by Chito Roño

T2 tells of Claire (played by Maricel Soriano), a travel agent and a volunteer NGO worker for orphans. She is having marital problems with husband Jeremy (Derek Ramsey) who is asking for a trial separation. Disheartened and distressed, Claire volunteers to deliver an orphan boy to the province of Samar with office driver, Elias (Eric Fructuoso) by land via RO-RO trip (roll on/ roll off). After the boy is delivered, strange things happen on their way home. They found themselves in a convent and is assigned to deliver an orphan girl, Angeli (played by Mika dela Cruz) to Manila. Many strange things happened on their way back to Manila. The young girl tells Claire that “engkantos” or enchanted beings (“mga hindi katulad natin”) want to take her. Claire will do anything to protect her.

T2 is less scary unlike Feng Shui and Sukob. Though predictable, as a whole, it's a well-made movie. Maricel, as usual, is superb, ably supported by talented cast delivering an above average performances. The special effects are likewise excellent.

I never experienced traveling the RO-RO way and this movie made me aware of what it is and what to expect. RO-RO is short for roll-on/roll-off, a form of transport system which allows you to hop from one island to another and enjoy the scenery in the comfort of your car. It’s an efficient and economical way to travel from Manila to any destinations in Visayas and Mindanao plying the western seaboard. Transporting the child from Samar to Manila via RO-RO adds to the tension of the movie. The ferry trip scene is realistically eerie and Direk Roño was able to execute it magnificently.

T2 is currently showing to a SRO crowd in theaters nationwide.

Ms. Soriano is not new to appearing in horror movies. She starred in Vampira in 1997 and Sa Piling ng Aswang in 1999. Likewise, Direk Roño had directed two horror movies, Feng Shui (2004) and Sukob (2006), both certified box-office hits.

Left- Vampira (1997)- Stars Christopher de Leon, Nida Blanca, Joanne Quintas, Jayvee Gayoso and Maricel Soriano/ Directed by Joey Romero

Right- Sa Piling ng Aswang (1999)- Stars Maricel Soriano, Gina Alajar, Gardo Versoza, Manilyn Reynes/ Directed by Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes

Left- Feng Shui (2004)- Stars Kris Aquino, Jay Manalo, Lotlot de Leon, Ilonah Jean, Jenny Miller/ Directed by Chito Roño

Right- Sukob (2006)- Stars Kris Aquino, Claudine Barretto, Wendell Ramos, Boots Anson-Roa, Ronaldo Valdez, Bernard Palanca/ Directed by Chito Roño