Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2

Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2
Theatrical release poster
Directed byErik Matti
Screenplay byMichiko Yamamoto
Story by
  • Erik Matti
  • Michiko Yamamoto
Produced by
  • Jose Mari Abacan
  • Erik Matti
  • Trina Dantes-Quema
Starring
CinematographyShing Fung Cheung
Edited by
  • Vito Cajili
  • Sheryll Lopez
Music by
  • Erwin Romulo
  • Malek Lopez
Production
companies
Distributed byGMA Films
Release date
  • December 25, 2014 (2014-12-25)
Running time
105 minutes
CountryPhilippines
LanguageFilipino
Budget₱86 million
Box office₱120 million

Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2 is a 2014 Filipino science fiction action comedy horror adventure film co-written and directed by Erik Matti. The film stars Dingdong Dantes reprising his role as Makoy, and Joey Marquez as Nestor, along with new cast members Isabelle Daza, Lotlot de Leon, KC Montero and Elizabeth Oropesa. A sequel to the 2012 film Tiktik: The Aswang Chronicles, it is an official entry to the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Plot

After defeating the Tiktiks during the previous night in the town of Pulupandan, Makoy, his wife Sonia, their newborn son Mackie, Sonia's father Nestor and their neighbour Pacing leave the town. They are ambushed by the new aswangs, the Kubot, led by Veron. Veron kills Sonia and Pacing, takes Mackie and cuts off Makoy's hand. Makoy and Nestor survive the ensuing bus explosion.

Two years later, Makoy and Nestor work as mechanics in Manila, living with Makoy's older sister Nieves and her daughter. Makoy has a prosthetic arm built by engineering students Stacey and Benjie. Nieves works as a secretary for physician Lex, whom she suspects of illegal medical practices. After eavesdropping on Lex, Nieves discovers her torturing a patient. Lex is actually investigating reports of people turning into aswangs. That night, aswangs attack Lex's home, killing her family, and she escapes with Nieves.

At Nieves' house, Lex reveals that tainted processed meat from Dom's hotdogs is transforming people into aswangs. Makoy and Nestor initially refuse to help when they discover Lex is herself an aswang. Nieves and Lex return to Lex's home and are taken to the police station over the murders. The aswangs attack to capture Lex, but Makoy and Lex escape while Nestor and Nieves are arrested. The capture of Tope, a corrupt meat inspector who has become an aswang, proves that the killings were an aswang attack. Policemen Justiniani and Macapagal torture Tope for information about the aswangs' hideout.

Lex's tribe rescues her and Makoy, who is shot while fleeing gangsters and is treated by Lex. The tribe later asks Makoy to leave before an elder aswang arrives to help them oppose Dom. The elder is Veron, who recognises Makoy. After a tense confrontation, Veron spares him and allies with him against Dom.

Makoy returns to Nieves' house, but initially refuses to oppose Dom's business, remaining indifferent to the aswangs' conflict. He changes his mind after learning that Dom is sponsoring a free concert that night and plans to distribute the harmful hotdogs. Makoy, Nestor and Nieves plan to stop the delivery, and Makoy receives a new prosthetic arm.

Lex and Veron confront Dom over the missing council members. He admits killing them and captures both. Meanwhile, Justiniani and Macapagal arrive at Dom's hotdog factory with Makoy, Nestor and Nieves, but Dom's minions capture them. Justiniani and Macapagal are executed, while Makoy frees the others. Nestor and Nieves stop the meat shipment, while Lex and Veron defeat Dom's minions. Dom overpowers Makoy, but Makoy ultimately defeats him by remembering Nieves' words that he is brave.

After Dom's business closes, Veron returns Mackie to Makoy's car repair shop. Nestor finds a nametag bearing the name Mackie, revealing that Veron spared the boy and raised him. Dom's relatives mourn his death, while his wife promises his grieving mother that she will avenge him by taking revenge on Makoy.

Cast

Casting

Lovi Poe did not reprise her role as Sonia from the first film after director Erik Matti and the producers stated that Poe's camp demanded a higher fee and backed out after learning her character was only needed for a two-day opening sequence. Poe was replaced by Hannah Ledesma as the character of Sonia.. Instead, Lovi Poe starred in the new horror anthology movie Shake, Rattle & Roll XV, which was also an official entry to the 40th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Accolades

Year Awards Category Recipient Result Ref.
2014 40th Metro Manila Film Festival Best Picture Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2 Nominated
Best Actor Dingdong Dantes Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Joey Marquez Won
Best Supporting Actress Lotlot De Leon Won
Best Production Design Ericson Navarro Won
Best Visual Effects Mothership Won
Best Make-up Artist Juvan Bermil
Charles Alabado		 Won

References

  1. ↑ Tomada, Nathalie (December 15, 2014). "Kubot and the Aswang collaboration". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  2. ↑ San Diego Jr., Bayani (December 23, 2014). "MMFF 2014: Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  3. ↑ "From 'Tiktik' to 'Kubot'". The Manila Times. November 29, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  4. ↑ Cruz, Oggs (December 28, 2014). "'Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2' Review: Wicked Fun". Rappler. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  5. ↑ Dela Cruz, Armando (December 30, 2014). "Kubot: The Aswang Chronicles 2". Film Police Reviews. Retrieved May 16, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Erik Matti ends rift with Lovi Poe". ABS-CBN. December 16, 2014. Retrieved August 11, 2026.
  7. ↑ "MMFF 2014 winners revealed; Jennylyn Mercado and Derek Ramsay win top acting awards". Philippine Entertainment Portal. December 28, 2014. Retrieved May 16, 2021.