Get ready for some popcorn-spilling jump scare in the upcoming horror flick "K(ampon)" under Quantum Films, one of the official entries for the 49th Metro Manila Film Festival.

During a media conference held in Quezon City recently, stars Derek Ramsay, Beauty Gonzalez, Xeinab Harake, Erin Espiritu, and Nico Antonio shared their experience working for the scary film.

"It was a mixture of emotions kung excited ba ako bumalik. Nanibago ako sa umpisa kung marunong pa ba akong umarte. It was strange. But thanks to our director (King Palisoc). Si direk kasi kapag maganda ang result ng eksena, makikita mo sa mannerism niya na excited siya. It took a while before I got into the groove of things. But was it the right decision to accept this kind of film? After seeing bits of the film and the experience of shooting it with my wife's best friend. She's a brilliant actress, but it was challenging because we always see her. The experience was fantastic and the right decision," said Derek.

Asked about lawyer Joji Alonzo, the film's producer, Derek said: "Maganda ang experience ko with them. We never had any problems on the set. Walang sugar-coating si Atty. Joji. She will tell you as it is. Will this be the last movie I will do with them? Probably not. I enjoyed working with Quantum and Beauty."

Beauty mentioned that she doesn't believe in things that are possessed by bad spirits.

"Speaking of acquiring things, I don't believe in those things because I am an antique collector. I collect many things, so I don't believe in those things. Mas takot ako sa buhay and double-faced kesa sa patay na wala na talagang feelings at andyan lang siya. So I don't care. 

"You should be scared of people who are alive rather than the dead. When you think about death, it's not sad. You think about life. You think of what happened to your life. Kumusta ang naging buhay mo? Ano ba ang gusto mong gawin at ano ang gusto mong baguhin? So bakit ka matatakot isipin yun?" she added.

Erin, 7, who won the part after she auditioned for the film, was guided by an acting coach and child psychologist on the set.

Asked if she was scared by the scenes, Erin said: "Hindi naman po kasi tinulungan naman po nika ako at saka ng psychologists po. I was really happy na makasama sila because they are so nice to me."

King justified the presence of a psychologist for Erin on the set of the movie. 

"Dahil nga magkakaroon kami ng child actress sa film, and to make sure na yung process naman is safe for the child, so nagkaroon kami ng acting coach and child psychologist on set na kasama ni Erin para gabayan siya before and after magshoot, especially sa mga sensitive scenes," the director said.

Erin added: "Hindi naman talaga siya scary pero may mga parts din na scary. Pero may gabay naman ako so hindi na po ako natakot after ng shoot."

Social media darling Zeinab Harake said she was challenged on her screen debut in the horror flick.

"Challenging sa akin kasi madalas kapag humaharap ako sa camera, most of the time natural lang. Pero this time, kailangan ko pong aralin yung character ko as Loreta. Hopefully, nabigyan ko naman ng justice yung character ko" Zeinab said.

Nico praised her co-stars in the film. "Si Zeinab hindi ko na siya inalalayan kasi magaling naman siya sa mga eksena niya. Si Erin naman, magaling na bata. Kahit child actress pa lang siya, alam niya yung nuance ng veteran actors." 

Future projects

After K(ampon), Derek said it is likely that he will not accept TV offers for now to take care of his wife actress Ellen Adarna.

"TV hindi muna but film nakikipagusap na uli ako. If there's a right script, most definitely (I will do it.)  Right now we're really focused ni Ellen na magka-baby so nung nangyari yun, malabo na muna ako tumanggap ng project kasi very hands-on ako mag-alaga. So hindi muna ako tatanggap ng project at mag-aalaga na muna ako sa kanya," he said.

Derek added: "Tumatanda na ako so I got worried, akala ko baog na ako pero noong nasa Spain kami at nalaman namin na preggy si Ellen, unfortunately we lost the baby. Pero at least nalaman namin na hindi kami baog. First attempt pa lang naman so we're aiming for a full pregnancy.

"I've always loved kids. That's why I'm very close to Elias. And everybody's wishing for a girl para sa amin. I'm leaning towards having a baby girl. Probably I'll be protective as a father, but I want to be the best father I could be," said Derek.

Ellen and Derek earlier said they wanted to have a baby this year.

Derek, 47, said his Christmas wish is to have a baby girl soon.

Ellen and Derek got married in November 2021. Ellen has a child, Elias, with former partner actor John Lloyd Cruz while Derek has a son named Austin with former wife Mary Christine Jolly.

"K(ampon)" will be shown beginning Christmas Day.