Sukob: When Kapalaran becomes a monster

Photo Courtesy: Star Cinema

ONE of the scariest monsters I remember from my childhood was the monster from Chito Roño’s Sukob, a 2006 horror film that revolves around the Filipino superstition of ‘sukob’.

‘Sukob’ happens when siblings marry within the same year. It is said to cause misfortune because the luck gets divided between them. In some versions, getting married after a family member’s death is also considered ‘sukob’ and is believed to bring a curse on the marriage.

In Roño’s film Sukob, the curse is triggered when half-sisters Sandy (Kris Aquino) and Diana (Claudine Barretto) unknowingly hold their weddings within the same year. Unbeknownst to them, they are siblings, as their father (Ronaldo Valdez) had kept Diana’s existence a secret, being the result of an affair. A deadly curse soon befalls them and their families, leading to tragic and often gruesome deaths.

Photo Courtesy: Star Cinema

Sukob has been hailed as one of the best Filipino horror films of the early 2000s. It even became the highest-grossing Filipino film until You’ve Changed My Life dethroned it in 2009, three years after its release.

It is also a fuel for nightmares, especially for the 5-year old me. I remember I was so scared with wedding dresses because the monster in Sukob wears one. She was small, with black face and black eyes. The power of the church couldn’t stop her as she climbed its tower in pursuit of the protagonists.

Growing up, the nature of the monster always seemed vague to me. She was not a ghost because ghosts usually have backstories that explain how they became a haunting spirit. She didn’t appear to be a demon either, as her existence would likely be referenced in Christian writings or doctrine. Instead, ‘sukob’ seems to stem from a pagan belief rather than a Christian one.

But, if the Sukob monster is not a ghost nor a demon, then what is she exactly?

Well, I will argue that the Sukob monster is a monster that stemmed from a Filipino culture. She represents a Filipino belief that we can’t seem to let go of despite living in a scientific and technology-mediated society.

The Sukob monster represents our fear about the force of fate.

The Concept of Kapalaran

Tadhana. Kapalaran. Destiny.

Filipinos are firm believers of ‘Kapalaran’ or the belief in destiny. In some cases, it even plays a significant role in the Filipino world view, affecting daily choices and communal connections.

For example, many Filipinos consult astrology when making decisions about small things, or even big things like in business. Many also wear charm bracelets or consult fortune tellers before making a decision.

Filipinos’ fatalism attitude, Bahala na, is also an example of our deeply ingrained reliance on fate as a force of events. We always often view things to be out of our hands, out of our control. Instead, we attribute life events to divine orchestration, reinforcing our belief to a higher power. We rationalize adversities as part of a bigger plan, letting us cope with challenges.

For others, this trait is a positive thing. Our belief in kapalaran showcases our hope, courage, self-efficacy and optimism. It gives us a positive outlook on life and allows us to be resilient in the face of challenges.

Kapalaran and the Horror of Powerlessness

However, for others, the belief in kapalaran implies a negative connotation. Many blame the Filipinos’ passivity and lax attitude towards our belief in kapalaran. People say that kapalaran can undermine personal responsibility and hinder progress.

In Sukob, kapalaran takes a more sinister connotation. The movie exploits the powerlessness of the characters over the curse on which they don’t have control over. Sandy’s mom and friends, Diana’s husband and relatives, all suffered in the consequence of fate. No matter how far the characters run, or how much they hide, fate still finds them.

But the film also suggested an antidote on fate: sacrifice.

During the final showdown, Sandy and Diana were chased by the monster in the tower of the church. When the monster cornered them on the top, it became clear that it was after Diana’s unborn child.

Sandy, who loved her sister even just for a short time they met, sacrificed herself. She hugged the monster before throwing herself off the church’s tower, falling to her death.

This scene is a profound answer to the belief in fate. It basically tells the audience that fate might be a powerful force— but we still have control over what happens next in our lives. We only let fate take its course because we refuse to sacrifice— when we choose convenience over courage.

In truth, sacrifice is the price of transformation. It demands letting go of comfort, defying fear, and embracing struggle for a future we desire. Without it, we surrender to the illusion of powerlessness, allowing fate to dictate a life we were too afraid to fight for.

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