“Gusto kong matanggal ang sumpa!” Kris Aquino as Joy, Feng Shui (2004).
“Mapuputol din ang suwerte. Magkakambal ang dalawa.” Cherry Pie Picache as Lily, Feng Shui (2004).
The use of lucky charms is rooted in the traditions of the Chinese people. Among bracelets, necklaces, ten emperor coins, dragon statues, oranges, etc., the Baguas have been being used by the Filipino people too—placed on a wall in their houses. These are hexagonal eight-symbol-set that is believed to bring protection, balance, and prosperity in the lives of the users.
Fēngshuǐ (风水), Feng Shui in English, is a Chinese practice of arranging positive chi energy in people’s lives, environments, and living areas. When one’s life isn’t balanced, it could be readjusted using items, symbols, and colors. There’s a reason why lucky charms, the color Red, and Baguas are believed to bring prosperity.
Feng Shui is a horror film released in 2004 that was directed by Chito S. Roño and starred Kris Aquino. The movie is about a hardworking mother who obtained a Bagua that her seatmate on a bus left. When she brought and put this in their house, luck rained on them—promotions win, awards, money and property, you name it—but so did misfortune.
The setting was quite alright with the film. It was just normal: houses and offices. The colors associated with different scenes were an excellent factor. Certain tones were used to portray different emotions like distress and fear. I liked how the film's color palette changes from warm to cool, depending on if something scary is going on or when there’s calm (which isn’t seen very often).
Something important in producing films is the use of audio. In Feng Shui, the sound effects were something for a Filipino movie (but just something regular when it comes to comparison with international). The scary noise and shocking music would make you skip a heartbeat. Add the classics which are throbbing lights, cameras zooming in, and having actors look back and forth and left to right, and it’s perfect, or should I say a mainstream, combination.
The storyline was quite usual, especially in Filipino horror films. The only difference between other horror films and this is that Feng Shui’s ending scene came with a twist. When you think everything’s finally at ease, you would be surprised when you get to know what really happened with Joy’s family and her friends. This film is actually just kind of like those predictable movies out there but because of Kris Aquino’s acting skills (but with more emphasis on her screams), you won’t get bored watching Feng Shui. This film is just like any normal Filipino horror film—ghosts and lurking spirits, people dying, and bad luck.
Just when I thought everything was finally at ease, the film reminded me that it is not yet done. So, that must be one of the reasons why it’s popular on Netflix right now. The ending plot twist was a BOMB!—but, well, that’s it. It is only the ending scene/part that caught my attention that made me like the movie.
The movie has Chinese influences such as the use of lucky charms and belief in Chinese zodiacs. In the film, characters die in a way related to their Chinese zodiac like when Aling Biring, born in 1963 which was the Year of the Rat died of Leptospirosis and Mang Nestor who was born in the Year of the Rooster died of stabbing in a cockfight.
There were only a few actors and actresses in the film but it was still nice. After all, it’s the plot that matters and how the actors give justice to their roles. The characters portrayed their roles well and it’s good that the movie focused on the story itself and not the number of characters as it didn't become confusing, unlike other films that included a lot.
Kris Aquino was a good actress in this movie. Her facial expressions, voice, and actions carried the film. It is Ms. Kris’ screams that made the movie extra thrilling. That’s the reason why she was called the “Scream Queen” in Filipino horror films. Joy was an ordinary character. She’s a working mom who has two kids and her relationship with her husband was shaky. Likewise, she wasn’t favored by Inton’s (Jay Manalo) mom.
The role of Joy Ramirez’s (Kris Aquino) husband was portrayed by Jay Manalo who acted as Inton Ramirez. Jay got less than the two’s screen time, but it was just enough to be critiqued. I just wish there were more from him: more emotions, more screen time, and more lines. He did his part nicely and his performance was just fine.
It was a film that never left my mind since the first time I watched it. I still feel the chills and goosebumps every time! I have watched it again, and I’m, you guessed it, still thrilled. Watching Feng Shui repeatedly made me understand the film better every time. The first time watching it, I was a scaredy-cat little girl so it’s normal that I got scared. However, when I watch it now, I tend to just get *slightly* frightened. Like in the above paragraphs, it was only the ending part that made this film stand out among others.
Well, this film is also a reminder that not everything comes easy. Oftentimes, something that’s easily obtained won’t last—or worse—would take something greater from you. It is the hard work that pays off, not the use of lucky charms.
So, do you sometimes wish you could just be lucky and get tons of money in an instant?
What if there’s something that may give you luck…but would need people’s lives in return?
Would you take it?
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