“The Echo,” the Hollywood version of the 2004 Pinoy horror flick “Sigaw” directed by Yam Laranas and starring Iza Calzado, will be finally shown in the country on Oct. 16 after it mysteriously failed to open last Oct. 7.

This is according to a source from the Viva Entertainment, Inc., which distributes “The Echo” locally through its affiliate, Viva International Pictures, whom Manila Bulletin Online talked to on Oct. 12.

The source also said that a technical problem caused the delay.

The “The Echo” fan page on Facebook (FB), meanwhile, put the blame on the movie’s international distributor, QED, which it observed to be “showing how inefficient they are.”

The FB account explained: “The material needed for the prints for the Manila screening did not arrive. We wonder – if we take out QED in the equation – things would have been different.”

It added that the only print available in the country was the one used during the premiere night of  “The Echo.”

According to Viva’s website, the red carpet celebrity premiere for “The Echo” was held on Sept. 24 and graced not only by Laranas and Calzado but also by Richard Gutierrez, who originated the role American actor Jesse Bradford plays in “The Echo.”

Megastar Sharon Cuneta also attended the event along with Richard’s family – father Eddie Gutierrez, mom Annabelle Rama, and sister Ruffa Gutierrez – and beauty queen-turned-TV show host and actress, Miriam Quiambao.

Hot love team partners Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal also lent their support to the movie and Calzado, who, like them, are GMA-7 contract stars.

The Oct. 7 opening of "The Echo" was eagerly awaited by its fans, especially those from Davao, where Laranas hails from. Their messages on its FB account expressed disappointment especially since there was no prior announcement of the cancellation.

They pointed out that Manila should have been given the priority to release it first since the basis for the movie, its director, and one of its stars originate from the Philippines.

“The Echo” tells the story of ex-convict Bobby’s horrifying discovery of his Manhattan apartment’s dark and violent secret. With Bradford and Calzado in the cast are Amelia Warner (taking over Angel Locsin’s role in the original, “Sigaw”), Carlos Leon, Courtenay J. Stevens, Hrant Alianak, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, and Paulette Sinclair.