After Cinema Bravo posted the official poster of the movie ‘TILILING,’ it has become an instant controversial topic on Twitter and Facebook. As seen, the characters of the poster have their tongue stuck out and crossed eyes, a film yet to be released that highlights Mental Illness.

From the makers of the movie ‘Jowable’ and ‘Paglaki Ko, Gusto Kong Maging PORNSTAR,’ Director Darryl Yap received divided comments from netizens and some celebrities about his poster desensitizing mental health issues.

Actress Liza Soberano, a Psychology major reacted to the film’s poster and wrote on Twitter, “Really hoping that this movie will spread awareness and enlighten us on the struggles of dealing with mental health. But the poster? It’s a no for me. Mental health is NOT a joke. Stop the stigma.”

“Tililing” is a non-standard Filipino word that is the title of the movie.

However, the director has responded on the actress post via Facebook page VinCentiments wrote, “Sa iyo Miss Liza Soberano, ang iyong pag-asa na sana’y makakapagbigay liwanag an gaming pelikula sa pagpapalawak ng kaalaman sa pangkalusugnag pagkaisipan ay hindi masasayang. HINDI KA NAMIN BIBIGUIN.”

The director said that the cast of the film went through some challenges that strengthen their mental health, “sigurado kaming hindi nila tatanggapin ang isang proyektong ikapapahamak ng kanilang prinsipyo at pagkatao.”

He added, “Matatalino ang aking mga artista, at matapang ang kanilang director.”

Judd Anthony Labarda wrote an open letter addressing his dislike towards the infographics of the movie to VinCentiments. Labarda admitted that he also suffers from depression, anxiety, panic attacks, and has suicidal thoughts.

Labarda defended that even though he has been confined with severe depression, he doesn’t look like the poster. He advised the writer to do some research first and added out, “I hope you got your laughs out, making this project.”

The director himself rebutted some of the comments most netizens misinterpreted the poster and reiterated, “I bet they’ll feel ashamed of themselves for overreacting once it is revealed what the title is all about, why the poster shows the characters with their tongues sticking out.”

Yap made his point and left saying, “They are quick to judge…, without prior knowledge of the subject at hand.”

On the other hand, a netizen has finally said, “We have Film Analysis as our subject, We can’t judge the movie yet if di pa released, unless poster lang cricritic mo using Semiotic analysis, pero pag movie talaga, you have to wait for it to be released first regardless of the reputation of the Director,” also the netizen cited that Candy Pangilinan who accepted the role even has a son who was diagnosed with autism, “so I doubt she let herself be part of this movie if the content truly revolves around mockery and mental illness.”

One of the films cast Baron Geisler posted on his Facebook acknowledged himself of the role saying, “Di siguro alam ng mga tao na I was once a PMHA Cebu warrior. I still battle with the sickness everyday and it’s no joke to wake up and fight for your life EVERY SINGLE DAY.”

Geisler revealed on Feb. 14, “Weird or swak at sakto lalabas din and #Tililing #fightthestigma #CarryOn #YouAreNotAlone.”

The ‘Tililing’ official trailer will be on Wednesday, February 10, the third project from VinCentiments and Viva Films. Starring Donnalyn Bartolome, Yumi Lacsamana, Cai Cortez, Candy Pangilinan, Chad Kinis, and the new Baron Geisler.

Photo Credit: www.facebook.com/vivaartistsagency/