Aga, Aiko reunite for restored rom-com

Aiko Melendez (left) and Aga Muhlach at the screening —ABS-CBN Film Restoration

Blame the Valentine season.

Seems Show Town is in the mood for romance and nostalgia these days. Quick on the heels of the Sharon Cuneta-Gabby Concepcion reunion for a McDonald’s commercial, another “classic” loveteam staged a comeback recently.

Fans of the 1990s tandem of Aga Muhlach and Aiko Melendez got to relive the nervy decade with the grand unveiling of the restored version of Jose Javier Reyes’ “May Minamahal” at the Power Plant Mall last week.

The screening gathered not only Aga, Aiko and Direk Joey, but also other actors like Boots Anson-Rodrigo, Agot Isidro, Nikka Valencia, Malou Crisologo, Bimbo Bautista and Ogie Diaz.

Direk Joey described the occasion as both “happy and sad.” “I was glad that, after 25 years, Aga, Aiko and I had a reunion,” the filmmaker related.

The seasoned director likewise felt sentimental, remembering coworkers who are no longer with us: “Actors Ernie Zarate, Ramil Rodriguez, Lulu Arietta and Alma Lerma and our production designer, Benjie de Guzman.”

Direk Joey mused: “You are suddenly struck by the distance of two and a half decades that have come to pass … and where you are at the moment.”

Aiko felt melancholic, too. “How time flies! Our movie was the first romantic-comedy produced by Star Cinema. I’m proud that our movie started this trend, and many people still get kilig (thrilled) watching it.”

Aga agreed: “I feel old. When you hear words like Betamax … or watch a scene showing siblings fighting over the telephone, I realized times were simpler then compared to now. It’s a nice feeling to go back to that era.”

Direk Joey pointed out that when it was first released in 1993, the term rom-com wasn’t commonly used yet. “It was called a feel-good movie then.”

“I remember always being excited to go to the set,” Aga admitted. “I was always looking forward to seeing Aiko.”

The film was also the topgrosser in that year’s Metro Manila Film Festival, Aiko recalled. “It’s special to me because it did wonders for my career.”

Aga remarked: “Now, my old films are being restored and are available on iTunes. At least, my kids Andres and Atasha can watch them. The next generation can see how things were before.”

Aiko Melendez (left) and Aga Muhlach in “May Minamahal”

Aiko said she’d readily let her kids, Andrei and Marthena, watch it on the big screen, too. “It brings back a lot of memories.”

Direk Joey would also encourage his film students to watch it. “We take pride that we were able to capture romance before social media and cell phones … when life was simpler, yet the emotions have become references to an age gone by.”

The scriptwriter-director has mixed feelings that his past movies are now being restored. “You feel honored yet you realize that you have now been relegated to the halls of history. It pushes you to assess the significance of your life, not only through your works, but through the people you’ve met in your continuing journey.”

Direk Joey supports the work of the ABS-CBN Film Archives and Sagip Pelikula. “Films should be restored and properly preserved and archived because they are artifacts of a specific time and place in history. Movies tell more than just stories. They are captured moments that embody the sociopolitical and cultural climate, which are necessary to the understanding of who we are as a people.”

Aiko asserted: “Everyone loves to take a stroll down memory lane. It feels good to reminisce, especially the happy moments. It’s probably because it’s Love Month, too. That somehow set the tone for everyone.”

But why are people in the mood for love (and nostalgia) these days? Direk Joey explained: “When we hear the news of 17 kids and teachers being gunned down on the other side of the world … or the confusion between truth and deception in the news … or how we validate our lives by the number of likes we earn on Facebook … don’t you yearn for the good old days?”

“May Minamahal” remains relevant then and now, Aga opined. “Family, love … It’s the same, no matter what era. When you get hurt, you get hurt. When you fall in love, you fall in love!”

“May Minamahal” and other restored movies are being shown at the Power Plant Mall until tomorrow.