Joshua Garcia holds up a copy of the Bob Ong novel ‘Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan.’ ABS-CBN Films/Black Sheep

MANILA — Joshua Garcia has been tapped to star in a film adaptation of the Bob Ong horror-mystery novel “Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan,” producer Black Sheep announced on Wednesday.

The ABS-CBN Films outfit will co-produce the movie with Regal Films. Genre master Chito S. Roño (“Feng Shui,” “The Healing”) is attached to direct.

Released in 2010, Ong’s “Ang Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan” follows the story of a student in Manila, Galo, through his journal entries.

Returning home to an island where he was raised by his grandmother, Susan, after learning she is ill, Galo is confronted by unsettling mysteries that make him question his sanity.

Garcia’s foray into big-screen horror follows his genre debut via the recently released zombie flick “Block Z.” Prior, he was largely identified with romantic comedies and dramas.