Floodwater Ghosts as Social Criticism: A horror film and Tropical Storm Ondoy

Abstract

Typhoon Ketsana, known in the Philippines as Tropical Storm Ondoy, hit the nation’s capital more than a decade ago. Metro Manila and its neighbouring rural areas were submerged in floodwaters up to 20 metres high resulting in 921 fatalities and $1.15 billion in damages. Most of those who survived the extreme weather event have various Ondoy stories to tell. In 2011 the popular Philippine horror anthology film series Shake, Rattle & Roll portrayed Ondoy victims as floodwater ghosts in a narrative included in instalment 13, in an episode entitled Rain, Rain, Go Away (RRGA). The floodwater ghosts are chilling reminders of various intersecting issues plaguing the country such as child labour, poor infrastructure, graft and corruption, the lack of proper weather forecasting techniques and equipment, and many others. The ghosts also represent how the most vulnerable sectors suffer from such water disasters, and invite possible discourses on actions that need to be taken against the detrimental effects of extreme weather events on the Philippine islands.