(From left) Julia Barretto and Aga Muhlach. Images: Facebook/Viva Artists Agency
Julia Barretto is aware of the mixed reactions toward her and Aga Muhlach’s film, which revolves around a May-December romance between a music professor and a choir protege, as she stressed it was not made to “normalize” anything inappropriate.
Barretto addressed the concerns regarding the upcoming movie “Ikaw Pa Rin ang Pipiliin Ko” at a press conference, and emphasized that she wouldn’t agree to do the film with Muhlach if it sends the “wrong message.”
“We’re wishing that people will be welcome to it and are open to it. Just as in real life, people can be understanding about it especially since we’re talking about two adults. I understand the feedback and concerns. I see it all,” she said.
The actress also explained the meaning of her Instagram post last Jan. 26 where she appealed to the public to give the film a chance. “Nobody is invalidating the concern but at the same time, we wouldn’t have been on board if we knew that the film would send the wrong message to people.”
She also noted that the storyline is meant to show a “unique kind of love” which also happens in real life: “We will not do this kind of film to normalize anything. I think when we tell love stories through film, we’re not trying to normalize anything.”
“We’re not trying to advocate anything. We’re storytellers. Again, we wouldn’t have done this production if we knew this would send the wrong message in any way,” she continued.
Barretto, however, admitted that doing the film was “quite challenging” although it was the company of her leading man, co-stars, and production team that made the experience “lively.”
“But I guess hindi naging madali ‘yung material na binigay sa’min (the material given to us was not easy) because we were trying to tell a unique love story,” she said.
During the mediacon, the actress also thanked Muhlach for being a supportive onscreen partner throughout.
“I’m just grateful for his good words. All the time, every time we see each other, he always has something nice to say. That means so much to me,” she said.
The Denise O’Hara-helmed film, which hits theaters on Feb. 7, marks Muhlach’s fourth time to be working with someone from the Barretto family. He previously worked with Barretto’s mother, Marjorie, in “Forever” in 1994, and aunts Claudine and Gretchen in “Kailangan Kita” (2002) and “Miguelito: Batang Rebelde” (1985), respectively.