Julia Barretto (left) and Aga Muhlach —VIVA FILMS
The Valentine season is a valid excuse to be schmaltzy. So, to welcome the Heart Month, Viva Films is presenting Aga Muhlach and Julia Barretto in the bittersweet flick, “Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin Ko.” Megged by Urian awardee Denise O’Hara, it opens in cinemas on Feb. 7.
Julia plays a chorale singer (Jas) while Aga portrays a musical conductor (Michael). He is skeptical about Jas’ musical skills, but seeing her passion to sing, he personally trains her so she can keep up with the choir.
As they grow closer during rehearsals for a George Canseco tribute concert, they fall for each other. Love bridges their age gap, but since Michael has an estranged wife and people frown upon their romance, it plays out like a “you and me against the world” story.
READ: Aga Muhlach recalls being down-and-out, looked down upon by actors: ‘Nasa baba ka na, aapakan ka pa’
External conflict escalates into an internal one. As their relationship hits a sour note, what will it take to keep the music playing?
Here are quotes from Aga (A) and Denise (D):
Aga: In my movie with Ate Vi back in the day, “Sinungaling Mong Puso,” I was the younger one in our May-December love affair. Now with Julia, I’m the older one. Love knows no age. But our movie is not meant to promote that kind of relationship. We just want to show that it really happens.
Denise: We changed the original title of our film, “Forgetting Canseco,” so it will be more relatable to the younger generation. It’s also the title of our movie theme, which is a hit song by Cup of Joe. Canseco’s classic songs like “Ikaw” were rearranged to make his hits sound fresher.
Aga: I’m a frustrated singer. I envy rock stars. ‘Di ako magaling kumanta, malakas lang ang loob ko. My wife Charlene is the one who sings well. Sa kanya nagmana si Atasha when it comes to singing.
Denise: The chemistry of Aga and Julia is organic. They were very spontaneous. I was open to their suggestions about how they wanted to attack their characters.
Aga: There’s one role I’ve always wanted to play. In fact, I already have a concept for the story. I want to play an old gay man who has retired from being a stand-up comic. So people will know his struggles growing old alone and feeling left out.
Denise: Our movie is an ode to George Canseco because he is a big part of Pinoy culture. The theme songs of many teleseryes are composed by Canseco. During weddings and other special occasions, his songs are always played.
Aga: It was Julia who led, I just followed. Ang galing ng pagtimpla n’ya ng character n’ya. It made me feel that the character I played could really fall for her as Jas.
READ: Aga Muhlach, family ink contract with TV5 and Viva for ‘biggest, exciting project’
Derrick and Elle’s bond, onscreen and off
Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva are reunited after their first teamup in “Return to Paradise.” They topbill GMA Public Affairs’ new drama series, “Makiling” (which airs weekdays on GMA Afternoon Prime).
Derrick portrays Amira’s (Elle) childhood sweetheart and boyfriend Alex, a habal-habal driver who will protect the love of his life at all costs.
Derrick Monasterio —GMA NETWORK
The series is a roller-coaster of intense emotions as it continues to unveil a captivating narrative of mystery and revenge. After GMA Public Affairs’ “Firefly” bagged the Best Picture award at the MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival), this new project of theirs is yet another winner.
Here’s my chat with Derrick:
What makes you and Elle click on and off-cam?
We have formed a bond off-cam which translates to the screen. After years of working together, our relationship has gone beyond show biz.
Is Elle wife material?
One hundred percent. She’s very understanding and supportive. We are able to settle problems without fighting.
With all the break-ups in showbiz lately, aren’t you wary to be in a relationship with another celebrity?
Their story and journey are different from Elle’s and mine. Break-ups happen even outside show biz. But it should not make us fear love.
Angelo’s ‘major adjustment’
Good girls go to heaven. Naughty girls go everywhere, including hotel rooms. Just like Carol (played by Shiena Yu) in “Room Service” (RS), which is now streaming on Vivamax. Directed by Bobby Bonifacio Jr., it tells the story of room attendant Carol who becomes obsessed with promiscuous hotel guest Michael (Angelo Ilagan) after witnessing his “sexcapades.” If only the walls could talk.
Here are quotes from Angelo (A), Shiena (S) and Bobby (B):
A: I came from mainstream TV where I had no bed scenes. So, it’s a major adjustment for me. I’m very cautious about my screen partner’s limitations during intimate scenes. Even while we rough it up, I make sure I’m still a gentleman.
S: I worked with Direk Bobby in “Salamat Dax,” which was a comedy, so the vibe was chill. But this time around, he was hardly smiling on the set. Being kalog by nature, I told myself I needed to be more serious now and focus.
B: If I would give our film a tagline, it would be, “Welcome to a hotel in Manila, where the service is extra.”
A: My wife and I watched RS together. She didn’t feel jealous at all because she understands the nature of my job as an actor. She just teased me that we should try imitating my intimate scenes.
S: If I were a room attendant, I want to stalk Daniel Padilla. I want to know what’s going on with him after the Kathryn Bernardo chapter in his life.
B: We all have dirty little secrets. Our film takes you to the wild side and explores the intriguing world of hotel room attendants. INQ