Behind the Screams: What It’s Like to Work as a Scare Actor at Nightmares Manila

You may know them as the white lady, the deranged clown, the possessed doll, or the menacing zombie chasing a flock of thrill-seekers down a dimly lit hallway. But underneath the thick layers of makeup and fake blood splatters, they’re just regular people trying to make ends meet.

In broad daylight, Nightmares Manila (formerly Asylum Manila) is already entirely unnerving. Every night, it turns into a horror movie in real life. Previously stationed in Quezon City, the sinister attraction is now tucked beside Loyola Memorial Park in Parañaque, which adds to the eeriness and mysticism of the site. 

Apart from the bleak atmosphere and special effects, scare actors also play a big role in laying the groundwork for a spine-tingling haunted house experience. Through caked-on cosmetics, psychedelic contact lenses, morbid prosthetics, and otherworldly costumes, they embody ghoulish characters to elicit the loudest screams.

To know what it takes to be professionally creepy, The Beat Asia caught up with the scare actors of Nightmares Manila who have witnessed every good, bad, and spooky scenario possible.

The Good

For 23-year-old Danico Cristobal, the best part of the job is being able to shake patrons to their core. “Fulfilling kapag nakikita mong takot na takot sila.” (It's fulfilling when you see them scared.)

Formerly an employee of The Dessert Museum, Danico tried his luck at Nightmares Manila after the South Korean action-horror film “Train to Busan” broke into popularity in 2016. “Dati kasi patok na patok yung ‘Train to Busan.’ Dun ako na-inspire maging scare actor,” he said. (“Train to Busan” was popular back then. That movie inspired me to become a scare actor.)

In Danico's case, auditioning to be part of Nightmares Manila’s roster of scare actors was just a walk in the park. “Madali lang. Tinanong lang kung may background ako sa pananakot tapos pina-act ako na parang zombie or multo,” he recalled. (It’s easy. They just asked for my acting background and instructed me to act like a zombie or ghost.)

According to 24-year-old Vaughan Ross, one of the team leaders at Nightmares Manila, even those without experience may audition as long as they can think on their feet and commit to the role. “Kahit wala silang background, we try to find talents na kaya gawin ang trabaho,” he told The Beat Asia. (Even without a background, we try to find talents who can do the job.)

With more than seven years of acting experience locally and internationally, Vaughan has played every peculiar character there is — from a clown to a zombie. During his stint at Universal Studios Hollywood’s Halloween Horror Nights, he has scared big-time celebrities including Laurie Strode, Chloe Grace Moretz, and Wiz Khalifa.

“Nung nakita nilang marami na akong horror stuff na nagawa, they made me a team leader right there and then,” Vaughan said, recounting the time he applied at Nightmares Manila. (When they saw that I had done a lot of horror stuff, they made me a team leader right there and then.)

For 22-year-old Hannah “Seca” Pedido, one of the most rewarding things about being a scare actor is receiving positive feedback from customers. “Iba yung feeling kapag napupuri kami ng mga guests dahil sa acting namin.” (It’s a great feeling when guests praise us for our acting skills.)

Aside from the good reception, the opportunity to appear at various events keeps her pumped. “Napapasaya ako ng work kapag may kumukuha sa amin mag-perform sa company parties at TV shows,” Seca said cheerfully. (My work makes me happy when people book us to perform at company parties and TV shows.)

The Bad

Terrifying people for a living is not without its challenges. According to Seca, getting hit by guests is one of the perils of the job. “Maraming beses na ako nasuntok at nasipa. Hindi nila sinasadya. Ginawa nila dahil sa sobrang takot.” (I’ve been punched and kicked many times. They didn’t mean it. They did it out of fear.)

For Vaughan, he doesn’t appreciate it when guests act rowdy and try to petrify them in return. “I don’t like it when guests become rude towards the actors. Especially when they scare us back because they paid to get scared, not to scare the actors,” he reiterated.

Danico also had a similar experience with unruly patrons. “Common na siya sa Nightmares Manila. Hindi mo rin maiiwasan kasi may makukulit talaga na guests.” (It’s common at Nightmares Manila. You really can’t avoid stubborn guests.)

Due to the potential danger, the scare actors are provided with a radiotelephone to report any unwanted incidents inside the park. “One time nga nasampal na ako. Normal na po ‘yun. Ni-ra-radyo po namin ‘yun tapos pinapalabas sa emergency exit,” Danico said. (One time I was slapped in the face. It’s normal. In those instances, we report them using a radiotelephone and lead them to the emergency exit.)

“Bawal mag-takbuhan. Bawal rin hawakan ang actors at props sa loob. May mga rules and regulations po na kailangan sundin,” he added. (Running is not allowed. Guests are also prohibited from touching the actors and props inside. There are rules and regulations that must be followed.)

The Spooky

At Nightmares Manila, the real horror stories happen behind the scenes. Or so they say.

If you think it’s daunting to enter the haunted attraction as a customer, it’s much creepier when you’re the scare actor. At least, that’s what Seca told The Beat Asia. “Maraming spooky things sa loob ng Nightmares Manila. Madalas nakakakita ako ng mga bata na sunog ang mukha.” (There are many spooky things inside Nightmares Manila. Oftentimes, I would see children with burnt faces.)

Danico added that guests would usually approach the staff and tell them how effective the child actors at startling them, only to find out that no kids were employed by Nightmares Manila. “Sabi pa nga nila sumasabay daw sa kanila palabas yung mga bata, tapos nawawala rin sila.” (They said the children would join them to the exit door, then they vanish once they’re out.)

“Katabi kasi namin yung Loyola Memorial Park. Sementeryo ‘yun. Normal na sa amin yung nakakakita ng multo,” he said. (We’re next to Loyola Memorial Park. It’s a cemetery. So it’s normal for us to see ghosts.)

Alleged apparitions aren’t new at Nightmares Manila. Even during the park’s construction, sinister activities reportedly occurred. “I’ve heard from my workmates na ginagawa pa lang yung Nightmares, may nagpapakita na. They even move the props from one place to another,” Vaughan shared. (I’ve heard from my workmates that when Nightmares Manila was being built, there were already ghost sightings. They even move the props from one place to another.)

Despite the blood-curdling encounters, the scare actors of Nightmares Manila remain unfazed. “Takot talaga kami mag-scare actor dati. Pero dahil dito na-overcome namin yung fears namin kaya ginagawa pa rin namin siya hanggang ngayon.” (We were really terrified to be scare actors before. But because of this job, we’re able to overcome our fears, that’s why we’re still doing it.)

Nightmares Manila is open every day (except Tuesdays and Wednesdays) from 4 PM to 12 AM. Admission fee is P699 per person on weekdays and P799 on weekends. For more information, visit www.nightmaresmanila.com or email [email protected].

Location: Dr. A. Santos Avenue, Sucat Corner, RainbowDrive, Goodwill 2 Subdivision, Barangay BF Homes, Parañaque City