Metro Reel Stories: Janine Gutierrez and Charlie Dizon on Venturing Into the Unknown in Netflix’s ‘Balaraw’

Every country and culture has its own folklore. And whether we believe it or not, its mere presence in history has, in one way or another, contributed to life as we know it today. Philippine folklore, for one, is a treasure trove of ideas. Translating historical accounts onto the screen for a modern audience informs and reminds us of both the beauty and tragedy of our roots. That we shouldn’t be strangers to our own culture is reason enough to keep digging into the past that many may not have known or have forgotten. 

Have you heard of “balaraw” (or balarao) before? In the Netflix Original Series—starring Janine Gutierrez, Charlie Dizon, Ronnie Lazaro, Nonie Buencamino, and Agot Isidro—Balaraw is a mysterious island that one can’t easily reach and is impossible to leave (save for rare, extraordinary exceptions). But in Philippine history, balaraw is a form of dagger used during the pre-colonial Philippines; double-edged with a leaf-shaped blade and a grip that fits fingers snugly, it’s a tool deemed ideal for nobles and warriors. For creatives Rae Red, Jeko Aguado, and Dodo Dayao, this tool became a weapon to craft a story that helps redefine the Philippine mystery-thriller genre. 

“Me and the co-creator, si Jeko Aguado, we’ve always been interested in how our folklore beliefs can really influence our everyday lives. May maririnig kang kuwento na hindi mo bibilihin ’yang lupa na ’yan kasi may some creatures d’yan,” director/co-creator Rae Red shared during the Netflix series’ press conference. “We were heavily inspired by this account from back then: how the CIAs (Central Intelligence Agency) used the aswangs to kind of make the Hukbalahap surrender. Stories like that, grabe ’yung influence, ’yung mga ganung paniniwala natin, how it can even influence our own history. ’Yun talaga ang pinaka-root ng inspiration namin.” 

It’s interesting now how this traditional tool was reimagined in the series as a balaraw-shaped island somewhere in the Philippine Sea. Presenting a local take on the Bermuda Triangle, balaraw is reinterpreted as a place that does not appear on maps and only reveals itself under specific conditions. 

The story centers on Sabina‘s (Janine) search for her mother (Rebecca, played by Agot), who mysteriously disappears and has been missing for four years. Sabina’s quest for answers leads her, alongside her girlfriend (Charlie’s Bulak) and godfather (Ronnie’s Arturo), to Babang Yawa and Balaraw, where they are lured into the horrors shrouding the infamous island. 

Balaraw: Blood Island, which was released globally last October 29 in time for the Halloween weekend, debuted at the No. 1 spot on Netflix Philippines. Currently sitting at the third spot next to Korean titles Dead-End Job and Doctor X: Mafia in White, it’s the highest-ranking Filipino original on the list.

“Full of adventure”—that’s how Charlie summed up the story of Balaraw. Just as Janine’s Sabina and Charlie’s Bulak ventured into the unknown, these actresses also explored untapped areas of their craft. 

“’Yung pitch pa lang, it was super cool na and mysterious and exciting,” Janine recalled. 

Although no strangers to the horror, mystery, and thriller genres, Janine and Charlie had many firsts with Balaraw.

“Nu’ng una, kinuwento lang siya sa’kin as best friend ni Janine,” Charlie giggled, as she looked back on when the series and her character were introduced to her back in January 2025. “Tapos nu’ng malapit na, biglang sabi, ‘Ah, iba na.’ Iba na ’yung relationship namin, nag-progress.”

“Na-develop,” Janine interjected, hinting at the Girls’ Love angle that neither one of them has ever tried. 

“First time ko na may girlfriend ako,” Charlie said about her character, Bulak, who’s in a romantic relationship with Sabina. To that, Janine replied, “I’m honored,” and the two burst into laughter, giving a glimpse of their chemistry even off-cam. 

Charlie shared that when they were on break from filming on the set of Balaraw, they loved bonding over karaoke. But when it was time to lock in, these actresses were also quick to embody their characters, fear and all. 

We asked if they experienced any genuine scares on set; Janine and Charlie credited the carefully chosen locations in Batangas, Subic, and Rizal and the set designs for making the fear feel authentic. 

“Especially when we were filming in the forest, talagang the vibe was very mysterious. It really felt like we were in Balaraw. We had a lot of running scenes in the forest, and we really didn’t have to act kasi parang we were really either running away from the drone or running away from the rain. And a lot of times, mayroon talagang mga scary moments, but in the end, they just helped us with the scenes kasi takot talaga kami,” Janine shared. 

Here comes another first for Charlie and Janine: it’s their first time being in a set as grand and elaborate as Balaraw’s. All praises for the Hollywood-level quality of the production, they also can’t help but feel grateful for the wonderful firsts they got to experience. 

“It was my first time to shoot na dalawang araw on a boat,” Janine said, in awe of how raw the shoots felt, an experience where they were under the mercy of nature’s elements. “It’s also the biggest set that I’ve ever been on—as in ’yung production design and ’yung scope, ’yung sets, ’yung studio. We also had a few weeks of studio shoot. They really built the indoor sets in a soundstage. It was also my first time shooting something like that in a studio.” 

Painting a picture of the set of Balaraw, Charlie referenced Jurassic Park because of how huge the scale of things looked onscreen. Citing one thing she was surprised to see as they were reviewing their scenes, Charlie said, “’Yung mukhang malaki talaga ’yung set! Like, may isang scene kami, medyo padulo, tapos nakikita kong gumagalaw lahat ng puno sa gubat. Sabi ko, wow, ang laki ng itsura talaga. Parang Jurassic Park.”   

Charlie emphasized how believable the sets were and how that helped them react to the scenes grounded in the fear of the unknown. “Makatotohanan siya talaga. Parang maniniwala ka na nasa isolated island ka talaga,” she told Metro.Style. “And also, ’yung crowd, ’yung mga kunwaring nakatira dun, sobrang believable. Hindi namin sila nakakausap talaga, hindi naka-interact. So, mukhang totoong sila ’yung people doon and kami ’yung parang baguhan lang.”

But among these firsts, both Charlie and Janine agree that the most special thing is that this is their first Netflix Original Series. And as if that isn’t reason enough to celebrate, their series was also released globally. And for the international audience, it could serve as a gateway to the Philippine entertainment landscape. 

“We have so many cool Filipino films na thriller and horror. Pero ’yung series na ganito, I don’t think we have one yet,” Janine pointed out, adding that she used to love Filipino series like Spirits and !Oka Tokat. She felt this type of show had long been missing from the local showbiz scene, so it was high time for it to be rediscovered by local viewers and uncovered by global audiences. 

Charlie is likewise thrilled to share in this milestone, which introduces the Filipino culture and beliefs to a wider market. “Masaya na ma-share ’yung Filipino folklore side. Part din kasi siya ng culture natin. Parang ‘pag tayo nanood ng movies ng ibang bansa tapos may nakikita tayong part ng culture nila—‘Ah, may ganun pala sa kanila.’ So, this time, sa’tin naman.”

Janine also takes pride in Balaraw being released on a global platform like Netflix, known for pushing the envelope in storytelling and execution. She reflected, “With Forgotten Island and ’yung different ways this year how the Filipino actors are being highlighted, in The Pitt, or like si Ms. Lea [Salonga], she just got a star on the Walk of Fame. It’s exciting that this is our contribution to that movement.” 

On the surface, Balaraw is enveloped in fear. But at its core, the series is a family drama that delves into a mother-daughter relationship.

Balaraw‘s adventure sets sail with the backstory of Agot’s Rebecca and why this mysterious island is calling her and manifesting in her daughter Sabina’s dreams.

In this aspect, mystery also had a different meaning for the creators of Balaraw. Rae shared, “Isa sa mga conversations namin was how we never really know our parents; the moment you get to know them, magulang na sila. You don’t know the person they were before they had you. And that’s such a mystery to me growing up. Parang na-parallel lang namin siya sa folklore, where it’s shrouded in mystery.”

The parallelism is seamless, and the mystery is multifaceted. 

Family is at the heart of the story. It’s felt not just through Rebecca and Sabina, but also through Arturo’s presence in these women’s lives, as well as Bulak’s relationship with Sabina. This is also true even in the community of Balaraw, a remote enclave led by a group of brothers who, having lost their way, are now trying to rebuild a home, albeit in their own savage way of governance. 

Past the grit, grime, cannibalism, and creatures like the wakwak, a deep sense of family and camaraderie shines through to anchor the story’s emotional core.

Peel the story’s layers with a balaraw, and what will be revealed is a thriller that tugs at the heartstrings. “Actually, ang daming layers ng Balaraw. It’s a mystery. It’s a thriller. Pero, it’s also about family and love. Mayroon din siyang bigger themes that, I think, people will pick up on their own,” Janine said. 

Janine described Sabina as a leader, someone independent and who doesn’t need anyone’s approval. “She’s so determined to do what she wants kahit siya lang mag-isa,” she quipped. But is there any advice Janine can offer Sabina, given her character’s struggles stemming from her mother’s disappearance? “Honestly, wala akong maibibigay na advice because if that were me, ganun din ako. Parang I wouldn’t know what to do, and I don’t think na igi-give up ko rin ’yung fight to look for my mom,” Janine explained. 

Matching the stubbornness of Sabina is Bulak’s willingness to go through hell and high water to support her girlfriend. Charlie defined Bulak as “a lover girl,” who’ll do anything for love. That sense of sacrifice is something Charlie resonates with, and so, she wouldn’t advise Bulak to do things differently. “For Bulak, Sabina is her life… So, kahit anong maging desisyon ni Sabina, nandoon lang siya para sumuporta talaga,” Charlie said.  

The theme of love shines like a bright moon against a night sky, guiding the characters and serving as a moral compass. Sacrificing oneself for the sake of others, though presented in a graphic and gory way in certain scenes, reinforces that story arc. 

Ultimately, the teamwork among Sabina, Bulak, Arturo, and Rebecca mirrors the real-life collaboration behind the scenes that brought this story from script to screen.

From indie to mainstream, Rae spoke proudly on behalf of her co-creators, saying, “[With] something so big like this, we really had to do our homework. And I’m proud to say that I’m very happy with the result.”

Eerie, creepy, edgy, and bloody, Balaraw keeps viewers glued to their screens, intriguing the audience with every myth, ritual, and creature. But in this cinematic journey, the mysterious island of Balaraw merely takes on the form of the boat that carries the narrative, and the package it transports is what ultimately delivers the stabbing pain in the chest. Beneath all the layers of this mystery-thriller series is a story of unconditional love and sacrifice. In the end, we realize that nothing haunts us quite like losing our family and our way home. 

Photographer: Charisma Lico-Santos

Sittings editors: Geolette Esguerra and Grace Libero-Cruz

Creative director: Vince Canlapan

Managing editor: Rick Formalejo

Stylists: MJ Benitez, assisted by Laiza Dionisio (Janine) and Rodel Briñas, assisted by Alex Zarate (Charlie)

Makeup artists: Anthea Bueno (Janine) and Marben Talanay (Charlie)

Hair stylists: Jay Aquino (Janine) and Angel Jamelarin (Charlie)

Videographer: Pat Buenaobra, assisted by Gimo Besinga

Editorial assistant: Chloe Nillar

Shoot assistant: Luisa Bunquin

Layout: Alfred Amado

Shot on location at World Kitchens and World Cellar – L/4 Gateway Mall 2

Special thanks to Netflix Philippines, ibis Styles, Solace Flower Bar, I Do Nails, and Araneta City