Sarah Labahti, McCoy de Leon lead cast of Darryl Yap’s first horror film ‘VHS’

Sarah Lahbati and McCoy de Leon will lead the cast of Darryl Yap’s upcoming first horror movie, “VHS” (Viva Horror Stories).

Viva Films unveiled the official poster for the film on Facebook on Saturday, Sept. 19, announcing Lahbati, de Leon, Ella Cruz, Kit Thompson, Sachzna Laparan, and Isay Alvarez as part of the cast.

“You can’t spell TAkOt without TAO,” the production company said in its caption.

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“VHS” is being presented as the Halloween movie offering of Viva Films and Vincentiments as part of Viva Films’ 45th anniversary celebration. It is scheduled to open in cinemas on Nov. 4.

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READ: MTRCB OKs Darryl Yap’s movie ‘Love, NGO’ after review with NCDA

The film marks Yap’s first venture into the horror genre. He previously directed the controversial films “Maid in Malacañang” (2022), “Martyr or Murderer” (2023), and the unreleased “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma” (2025).

Lahbati is no stranger to horror films. She made her film debut in the genre with “White House” in 2010 and later appeared in the horror titles “Basement” (2014), “Liwanag sa Dilim” (2015), and “Ang Pagsanib Kay Leah Dela Cruz” (2017).

De Leon, meanwhile, rose to fame after his stint in “Pinoy Big Brother: Lucky 7.” He later appeared in “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano,” “The Good Son,” “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” and the horror film “Deleter.”

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Yap’s 2022 film “Maid in Malacañang,” which depicted the final days of the Marcos family in Malacañang before the 1986 People Power Revolution, drew criticism over accusations of historical revisionism. 

Yap has also faced controversies over his social media posts and political content. In 2022, the Quezon City Council declared him persona non grata following a Vincentiments video featuring an impersonation of then-Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte. 

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The filmmaker also drew criticism over a 2017 tweet concerning minors and became involved in political campaign videos during the 2022 elections. Yap denied allegations that he received P50 million from the Bongbong Marcos-Sara Duterte campaign team. 

More recently, Yap faced a cyberlibel case filed by television host Vic Sotto over the teaser for “The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma.” Yap pleaded not guilty to two counts of cyberlibel in June 2025. /edv