As the director of the “Mukbang” episode of this year’s installment of the iconic Regal Films’ horror film trilogy with Shake, Rattle, & Roll Extreme, Jerrold Tarog said he did not hesitate to grab the opportunity to be back behind the camera again since the start of the pandemic.

“It’s my first film in five years so I’m actually happy and grateful sa Regal Films kasi kung tutuusin sila din yung nag-provide sa akin ng entry ko sa mainstream sa Shake, Rattle, & Roll din sa 'Funeraria' episode. That was my first mainstream project. 

"Kumbaga, ito rin yung parang comeback din for me after five years. Nag-yes ako kagad ako kasi nakita ko comedy yung material and I’ve been wanting to do horror comedy for a long, long time. Dati ko pang gustong gumawa. So nung nakita ko ito sabi ko I think ma-pu-pull off ko ito,” he said. 

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Paul Salas on working with director Jerrold Tarog on ‘Shake, Rattle, & Roll Extreme’: ‘Sobrang honored ako na nakatrabaho ko siya’

With a talented cast which includes AC Bonifacio. Jane Oineza, RK Bagatsing, Esnyr Ranollo, and Ninong Ry, direk Jerrold said it was nothing but a fun shoot for them in Tagaytay.

“Masaya, especially with the cast na sobrang yung vibe. Pina-adlib ko sila ng pina-adlib. So every time they kept coming up with a lot of funny stuff. Sina RK (Bagatsing) ang daming na-contribute sa mga eksena. Kahit kami nagtatawanan kaming lahat sa set. I’m pretty sure naman na entertaining yun.

"The story it’s basically about a group of influencers na pumunta sa isang mansion para mag-collab. Pero yung host nung mansion, meron silang ibang plano for the influencers. Yun na yun,” he explained. 

READ: John Arcilla, director Jerrold Tarog excited to work with Daniel Padilla on ‘The Guest’

Among the cast, Jerrold said that aside from most of the main characters, he was able to handpick social media personality-turned-actor Esnyr for his horror film debut.

“Pag yung mga main stars sila na. Regal na talaga yun. Si Esnyr oo. Basically nagpa-audition kami. Kasi meron na silang napili before pero hindi nag-work out yun. So sabi ko pili kayo ng mga influencers na gusto niyo tapos magpadala sila ng mga audition tapes. Eh sobrang tawa kami ng tawa kay Esnyr so ayun,” he said.

Direk Jerrold also had good things to say about popular YouTuber Ninong Ry who is also making his acting debut in the film. The talented director revealed he actually watches the online chef’s videos prior to working with him.

“Fina-follow ko siya. So nagulat ako nung sinabi nila na kasama si ninong Ry. Sabi ko sige, okay, masaya. Brinief ko si Ninong Ry eh bago kami nagsimula. Sinabi ko na lahat ng diskarte na puwede niyang gawin. Maliban dun sa sinabi ko sa kanya nun na acting is more about reacting. So hindi niya kailangan mag-come up with any emotional or hindi natural na reaction. He took that to heart naman. So na-pull off niya. Actually, hindi naman sa spoiler pero isa siya sa pinaka-astig na character dun sa episode,” he admitted. 

In prior interviews, the cast has been very vocal about their praises for direk Jerrold’s working style and his attitude as a “Gen Z” director, which he tries to laugh off.

“I don’t know what that means (laughs). Hindi ko alam ibig sabihin nun so natawa na lang ako. I don’t know. I’m just doing the same thing that I’ve been doing except comedy this time which is I’m glad to be doing comedy,” he added.

If the past few years have relatively been relaxed for Jerrold, 2024 is looking to become a very busy year for him with multiple projects currently in the works.

“May mga hinihintay lang ako na i-greenlight. So Quezon is still in the works. Mythology Class is also still in the works and also yung na-announce before sa Star Cinema, yung kay Daniel Padilla (and John Arcilla). So yun. Hindi ko alam kung sino ang mauuna. So depende kung sino ang magsabing tara na, game na. Tapos meron pang isa with Lovi Poe din na parang hinihintay ko lang na sabihin nilang go na. It’s mostly hintayan lang,” he revealed.