Conceptualizing, producing and directing iWantTFC’s horror anthology “Horrorscope” is a dream come true for Ato Bautista.

For the longest time, Bautista has been carrying his dream of helming thrillers, which is why he is happy to have finally achieved it. He also shared that when he conceptualized it, he took into consideration the things that would appeal to as wide an audience as possible, which led him to the idea of horoscopes.

“Lahat kasi kapag tinest mo, ‘ano ‘yung sign mo?’ alam mo ‘yung sign mo by the date or month. Sabi ko, common sa ating lahat,” he noted during the online media conference for the series last week, Jan. 6.

(When you all test, ‘what’s your sign?’ you know your sign by the date or month. This is common among all of us.)

Bautista did some research and found out some reasons about why horoscope is popular with some people.

“‘Yung mga nagbabasa ng horoscope ngayon, ‘yung iba naniniwala, karamihan hindi, pero it relieves their stress, it entertains them. Kapag kailangan nila, nabibigyan sila ng payo. So, doon ko pinaikot ‘yung concept,” he explained.

(Among those reading horoscopes now, some people believe it, most do not believe it, but it relieves their stress, it entertains them. When they need it, it gives them advice. So, that was how I worked around the concept.)

So what sets “Horrorscope” apart from other suspense-thrillers?

“Unang-una, hindi ko alam kung mayroong horror anthology ang iWant. This is an anthology. Pangarap ko kasi noon pa na gumawa ng anthology, meaning each episode is independent from each other. So, iba-ibang genre ng horror ang puwede kong talakayin or gawin,” Bautista explained.

(First of all, I don’t know if there is already a horror anthology on iWant. This is an anthology. I have dreamt of making an anthology, where each episode is independent from each other, so I can take on different genres of horror.)

He then cited the different episodes in the series.

“‘Yung ‘Virgo’ is suspense-thriller. ‘Libra’ is exorcism, demonic talaga. ‘Yung ‘Leo’ naman is necromancer or pagbuhay ng patay. Tapos may touch din ng LGBTQ+,” he said.

(“Virgo” is a suspense-thriller. “Libra” is about exorcism, it’s really demonic. “Leo” is about necromancy or raising up the dead.)

“Horrorscope” premiered yesterday, Jan. 13. JB

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