Director Derick Cabrido’s latest horror film, "P77," explores the intricate nature of fear through the perspective of women, with actress Barbie Forteza leading the cast as Luna, an overseas Filipino worker grappling with trauma. Cabrido asserts that fear manifests more profoundly and gradually in women, contrasting with men's typically quick, outward reactions.

"It’s not in a man's nature to express fear," Cabrido explained in an exclusive interview. "Men are tough. When they get scared, they’ll just run. Or maybe let out one loud shout, then they’re done. Their fear doesn’t escalate. It ends quickly. Women are different. You see it build on their face—the nervousness, the hesitation, even tears—before they finally let it out. You can stretch out the emotion with a woman. With a man, it’s not as easy."

This philosophy shaped "P77," produced by GMA Pictures, where Cabrido chose to portray the story through a female lead to capture the authentic emotional core of an overseas Filipino worker’s experience. He remarked, "For me, the heart of an OFW is female, more than male."

Cabrido and Forteza reunite after their 2013 collaboration on the Cinemalaya entry "Tuos." He noted the actress’s growth from a promising talent taking direction to a collaborative artist who actively contributes to character development and scene execution. "She already knows the material, she’s done her research, and she even brings her own input. She would ask me if I’m okay with how she plans to attack a scene. Now, it’s a collaboration."

Despite managing multiple projects—including the war film "Pulang Araw" and the primetime series "Beauty Empire"—Forteza maintained her professionalism throughout the demanding shoot of "P77." Cabrido praised her attitude, stating, "She’s still the Barbie Forteza I’ve known in terms of attitude and professionalism. No ego. She listens."

Distinct from Cabrido's previous horror efforts, "P77" delves into psychological terror, blurring lines between reality and hallucination. Described by critics as a "slow burn," Cabrido underscored the importance of allowing audiences to emotionally connect with Luna before the story’s darker elements intensify. "If I begin with horror right away, it won’t stick. The audience has to empathize first," he said.

The film is rich with symbolic imagery, including references to Greek mythology and detailed set designs that mirror Luna’s psychological decline into PTSD. Every scare is carefully crafted to align with her point of view instead of relying on abrupt shocks.

The production presented challenges beyond eliciting performances—most notably in creating the condo setting and orchestrating complex shots. To overcome this, Cabrido revisited the fundamentals of directing, drawing inspiration from cinematic masters like Stanley Kubrick and Michael Haneke. "I reread directing 101. Slowly, I pieced it together," he reflected.

Looking back on their journey, Cabrido observes significant growth in both himself and Forteza since "Tuos." He concluded, "Ten years ago, I was still trying to find my own voice. Now, as much as possible, I already know it. And in that voice, there’s a certainty: the best horror stories beat with a woman’s heart."