HOOQ Hangouts hosted a star-studded premier of MMFF 2016's Seklusyon

To wrap up this year's series of HOOQ Hangouts, the Asia's largest video-on-demand service held a celebrity-studded premier of one of the official entries for the Metro Manila Film Festival 2016, Seklusyon. 

"We started HOOQ Hangouts a few months ago to provide a forum to showcase the vast library of HOOQ, particularly our local content which spans almost five decades. That is why we are ending the year with this HOOQ Hangouts featuring an exclusive screening of Seklusyon, produced by Reality Entertainment, which incidentally is also our partner in creating OTJ: The Series" - Jane Cruz Walker, HOOQ Philippines Country Manager

HOOQ Team with the cast of Seklusyon

Set in the 1940s, Seklusyon tells the story of four deacons (played by Ronnie Alonte, Dominic Roque, JR Versales, and John Vic de Guzman),  who undergo a retreat week before their ordination. It is said that demons work at their best days before a deacon gets ordained and officially become a priest, hence the practice of seclusion. Mysteries get discovered and truth started to unfold as a "miraculous" kid, Anghela (played by Rhed Bustamante), together with her guardian, Sister Cecilia (played by Phoebe Walker), joined them in the supposedly safe secluded house. 

Erik Matti, once again, worked his magic and produced yet another masterpiece that's definitely worth watching. The stunning cinematography and on point musical scoring added to the effectiveness of the overall production design. Despite being new to the industry, I think Ronnie Alonte did a really good job in portraying his role as Miguel, one of the deacons who is quite firm with what he wants and determined to fight temptations the hard way. Rhed Bustamante, on the other hand, is a big surprise and seeing her as Anghela will make you realize that this kid will surely go to places in her chosen career. She's so good, her stares alone freaked me out while watching the film.

Far from the usual horror films we often see in cinemas where the scare factor is all about prosthetics and special effects, Seklusyon focused on highlighting each character's past that has been haunting conscience for years. This movie will surely make you think. Will you choose the easier way out by giving in to any temptation and still achieve your goal? Or fight the hard way of resisting temptations and ultimately feel rewarded and accomplished in the end? Your choice.

The cast of Seklusyon at the premier night: (L-R) Elora España, Dominique Roque, John Vic De Guzman, Ronnie Alonte, Rhed Bustamante, J.R. Versales and Phoebe Walker

Seklusyon will be shown in cinemas starting December 25, 2016. The movie stars Ronnie Alonte, Dominic Roque, JR Versales, John Vic de Guzman, Rhed Bustamante, Phoebe Walker, Neil Ryan Sese, Lou Veloso, and Elora Espano. It is directed by Erik Matti and produced by Reality Entertainment.