Xyriel Manabat and Karina Bautista face supernatural terror in ‘True Manila Encounters’

Some of Manila’s most unsettling encounters with the unknown come to life in iWant’s newest horror offering.

True Manila Encounters is a limited anthology series that recreates frightening accounts gathered from submissions across Metro Manila. Produced by award-winning studio CreaZion Studios, the series explores the fear, mystery and unanswered questions surrounding encounters beyond the ordinary.

Leading the first episode, Undressed, are Xyriel Manabat and Karina Bautista, who portray two women caught in a terrifying encounter involving a seemingly ordinary piece of ukay-ukay (secondhand) clothing.

The story follows Pearl (Karina), a woman who chooses to suppress her ability to see spirits in an effort to avoid the paranormal. Her attempt to live normally is disrupted when her coworker Mei-Mei (Xyriel) purchases a thrifted dress carrying a dark history — unknowingly awakening a restless presence connected to the garment.

Undressed is directed by Rae Red, the filmmaker behind acclaimed works including Birdshot, Si Chedeng at Si Apple and Eerie.

The anthology continues with Occupant, featuring Kaori Oinuma and Elyson de Dios in a story about love, distance and a haunting that threatens to destroy a relationship.

Kaori plays Ana, whose long-distance romance with Jam (Elyson) begins to unravel when disturbing events occur during their video calls. As an unseen force repeatedly torments Ana, Jam is forced to confront the frightening reality she is experiencing and find a way to save her before it is too late.

Occupant is directed by Dodo Dayao, known for internationally recognized films including Uninvited, Midnight in a Perfect World and Violator.

True Manila Encounters premieres exclusively on iWant, with Undressed arriving on

29 October and Occupant streaming on 5 November.