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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider GOSSIP GIRL: Alex Calleja takes a scary turn at MMFF 2025

GOSSIP GIRL: Alex Calleja takes a scary turn at MMFF 2025

Published Dec 23, 2025 11:21 am
“I have always been a Shake, Rattle & Roll fan,” stand-up comedian Alex Calleja tells me, eyes lighting up, while we were both waiting to step onstage as hosts for the Watsons Christmas event. “Never in my life did I imagine I’d be part of such an iconic movie franchise. And to be the husband of Manilyn Reynes and the father of Francine Diaz? That was an added treat. But having a death scene in Shake, Rattle and Roll, that’s my second proudest moment after my Netflix comedy special."
Alex Calleja
Alex Calleja
Only Alex could say that with a straight face—and a grin that says he knows how surreal it all sounds. Alex is part of “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins,” also known as Shake, Rattle & Roll 17, the seventeenth installment of the legendary Filipino horror anthology produced by Regal Entertainment. The film marks the franchise’s triumphant return to the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival, after sitting out the 2023 edition. Directed by Shugo Praico, Joey de Guzman, and Ian Loreños, Evil Origins unfolds across three timelines: the past (1775), the present (2025), and the future (2050). It’s a chilling reminder of why Shake, Rattle & Roll remains a cultural staple—evolving with the times while still delivering unforgettable scares.
Despite his growing presence on the big screen, Alex remains grounded—and brutally honest—about where his heart truly lies.“So which do you prefer more, movies or stand-up?” I asked him.
“Stand-up, of course,” he answered without missing a beat. “Giselle, you very well know this—when it comes to live shows, we are the stars of the show. But in movies, we know our place. We’re the humble support to the bigger stars.”
And yet, here he is—doing movies. “Because I want to stay relevant,” he said. “Being comfortable in your niche is okay, but I want growth. Iwant to entertain every Filipino—not just those who come to my shows or watch me in corporate events.”
Giselle Sanchez and Alex Calleja
Giselle Sanchez and Alex Calleja
“I want a farmer in Sultan Kudarat to say, ‘Oh, Alex Calleja—I saw him die in Shake, Rattle & Roll 17. Astig yung death scene na!’”That, in a nutshell, is Alex Calleja’s north star: relevance with purpose.
“That’s why I wake up at 6 a.m. every day to be a guest host on Good Times with Mo Twister. That’s why I accept taping and long shooting hours. I want to entertain every Juan and every Juana.”
Alex is currently on a roll, hosting and performing in corporate shows left and right this December.
Come February next year, he brings Comedy Crew PH to perform with him in Singapore, followed by shows in the UnitedStates—proof that Filipino comedy continues to resonate beyond our shores. Whether delivering punchlines onstage or meeting his cinematic demise in a horror classic, one thing is clear: Alex isn’t just chasing laughs — he’s building longevity.
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