Carla Abellana enters a new chapter in her career as she joins the cast of Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins, the latest installment of one of Philippine cinema’s longest-running and most iconic horror franchises.

This year’s trilogy, Regal Entertainment’s official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival, places her at the forefront of the opening episode — a period-set tale that plunges audiences into terror as an evil force descends upon an isolated convent in the 1700s.

Set in 1775, the episode pairs Carla with Janice de Belen, Loisa Andalio, Arlene Muhlach, and Ara Mina in a story steeped in eerie silence, historical tension, and supernatural dread. For Carla, being chosen to open the trilogy was both an honor and a responsibility.

“It’s an honor to start the film, nandun ‘yung pressure talaga eh. I believe personally na ‘yung pressure would be in the first episode and the third ‘yung mag-ra-wrap up. It’s an honor to be part of the first episode, pero very fitting because it’s a period episode. It dates back to 1775. Mag-se-set na kami agad ng mood. ‘Yung vibe ng episode ng 1775 walang sigawan, wala pong gaanong ganun. Nasa eeriness, sa dilim, ‘yung fact na nasa beaterio kami, mga madre kami at napasok ng isang evil entity. So maganda ‘yun kasi umpisa pa lang po, tatakutin na namin, pakikilabutin na namin kayo,” she shared during the film’s press conference.

Becoming Madre Clara

In the film, Carla portrays Madre Clara, a nun with prophetic visions — a figure whose outward holiness contrasts sharply with the darkness she confronts. She explained why nuns often heighten the fear factor in horror narratives.

“Parang pag madre, nakikita natin very holy, very pure, ‘yung ganun. Pero dito po, medyo, siyempre gagawin naming dark. Or ginawa naming dark siya. So kung tutuusin, parang hindi natin iisipin na vulnerable ang isang madre, hindi ba, sa evil entities? Pero dito pinasok sila ng isang evil entity. So tingan natin kung ‘yun na nga. Actually kita naman kung ano nangyari (sa trailer), hindi po ba nag-start sa beateryo talaga at umabot pa hanggang future ‘yung evil entity. Ganun siya kalakas. So maganda din ‘yun, ‘yung pagka-madre. Maganda ‘yung atake na ang holy, ang linis nila tingnan, pero sisirain po ‘yun.”

What Truly Terrifies Carla

In a candid moment during the Evil Origins press launch, Carla was asked whether she fears human evil or supernatural evil more. Her answer came without hesitation — and with striking honesty.

“Mas takot ako sa tao, sa evil ng mga tao. Kasi ang dami po nila sa paningin ko eh. At saka hindi sila nakukuha sa dasal. Medyo mahaba po ang buhay, mga ganun. Parang mga masasamang damo. Kung sino pa ‘yung mababait, sila pa yung nauuna, ‘yung mga ganung bagay. Pero dapat sabi nila, between multo or tao, mas matakot po kayo sa tao siyempre. Kasi ‘yun talaga ‘yung may capability na saktan talaga tayo ng husto.“

But for her, whether the threat is seen or unseen, only one thing remains the strongest shield.

“Either way, whether evil entity man po yan or human being, katapat lang talaga ay pananampalataya. Si Lord na ang bahala sa kanila, siyempre. Honestly, evil is everywhere. Sa totoo lang po, sa dami ng nangyayari ngayon sa mundo. ‘Yung mga taong walang integrity, sa mga magnanakaw, sa mga corrupt, napakadaming evil entities around us. Thankfully, personally wala pa naman po (ako na-experience). Meron tayong Lord kaya meron tayong armas, parang ganun, against them.”

A Darker Role She Hopes to Explore

While Madre Clara is deeply tied to spirituality and terror, Carla revealed another character type she dreams of portraying — one that pushes even further into psychological darkness.

“Ako, definitely a serial killer. Mahilig ako sa mga psychological thrillers. Siguro isa sa mga most famous serial killer, hindi man ito babae pero mga mala-Ted Bundy. He’s in jail. Nakulong si Ted Bundy.”

A New Entry, A New Fear

With its historic setting, atmospheric tension, and a story that stretches from the past into the future, Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins opens with a chilling promise — and Carla Abellana’s performance is set to anchor that fear.

Watch Carla Abellana in the “1775” episode of the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins, opening in cinemas nationwide on December 25. Directed by Ian Lorenos, Shugo Praido, and Joey de Guzman. Produced by Regal Entertainment.