In a bold move that reshaped Filipino horror storytelling, the lead role of the fortune teller in Adivino was given to Sarah Olano, classmate and close friend of the film’s creator, Joson. Sarah’s portrayal wasn’t just about looks. Her mestiza beauty, described as radiating an "aura of complexity," served a deeper purpose. It was both a tool for manipulation within the story and a sharp critique of the lingering colonial mindset—a reflection on the Filipino obsession with foreign features.
“Adivino brought horror to a raw, unsettling level,” Sarah recalls. “This wasn’t glam horror. The blood wasn’t sexy; it was disturbing—and it had to be.” Her experience with a real-life fake fortune teller gave her performance a powerful authenticity that resonated with viewers.
Supporting roles also packed a punch. Annalyn Navasero, first spotted on ABS-CBN, took on the role of the innocent client—representing the youth who blindly idolize false heroes amid rising political fanaticism. Meanwhile, Santino Del Castillo embodied a self-righteous antagonist, a chilling symbol of how twisted morality can become a weapon of abuse and control.
Adivino didn’t just push creative boundaries; it shattered them. Combining sharp social commentary, fearless storytelling, and near studio-quality production, it earned the title of the most expensive student short film ever made in the Philippines. This groundbreaking project dared to take horror to a new, provocative frontier.