Image: Screenshot via Youtube/Viva Ent
Tonette Jadaone revealed that a deleted scene in “Never Not Love You” was based on true events in her fresh graduate life.
The director posted a picture of Nadine Lustre as Joanne looking worn-down as she balanced cups of coffee she was ordered to buy for her superiors.
“Tingin ko’y pinagdaanan ng maraming mga fresh grad sa Makati bilang aliping saguiguilid,” she noted.
(I feel many have experienced taking orders as fresh graduates in Makati, as slaves.)
She recalled her humble beginnings and how the film was a tribute to it: “Siguro nga ang NNLY ay maliit kong oda para sa aking Makati nung trainee PA days ko pa lang — oha, PA na nga, trainee pa!”
(Perhaps “NNLY” is my little ode to my Makati when I was a trainee production assistant—see, I was PA and a trainee!)
Jadaone cited a memorable — and perhaps traumatizing — experience from her early days in Makati. Still fresh from being a student of the University of the Philippines-Diliman, she was figuring out the appropriate attire to look decent in the office while surviving the rush hour commute.
It was just her luck to come face-to-face with some demanding clients. “Pagpasok ng clients, galit na galit, lalo nung makita ako. Sabay sabi sa’kin, IKAW, AYAW KITANG MAKITA DITO!!!”
(When the clients entered, they were so angry, even more when they saw me. They told me, “You, I don’t want to see you here!”)
As much as she wanted to answer back, she left not only the room but also the office building: “Lumabas ako ng building at naglakad palayo! O ‘di ba, ang arte!!! Pinipigil ko luha ko, hindi nila ako pwedeng makitang umiyak ‘no! I am a strong, independent woman!”
(I exited the building and walked away! See, how dramatic! I held back my tears, they can’t see me cry! I am a strong, independent woman!)
But soon, she had to return because she had no money and received some hard-to-swallow advice. “Sabi sa’kin ng senior PA ko, ‘Ganyan talaga. Pasok sa isang tenga, labas sa kabila.’ HUH? PAANO YUN?!” (The senior PA told me, “It’s like that. Into one ear, then out the other. Huh? How do you do that?!)
At that time, she promised herself that the arrogant clients would get their payback, but life has a funny way of working things out.
“Mahigit 10 taon na ang nakalipas, tinatawanan ko na lang ito — at hindi ko na rin maalala ang pangalan niya,” she quips.
(About ten years later, I laugh at it — and I can’t even remember her name anymore.)
Now a critically-acclaimed writer-director with box office hits under her belt, perhaps it is best that Jadaone simply laughs off the harsh realities of life, or use them as material for her films.
“Never Not Love You” follows the travails of Joanne, a girl from the province trying to make it in the big city and has clear-cut career goals. She meets Gio, played by James Reid, a flighty graphic artist who is concerned only with being happy. When Gio is forced to become financially independent, the couple has to decide if they will follow love or ambition.
The film is currently showing in theaters. JB
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