Janella Salvador, Win Metawin’s movie an ode to cross-cultural love

(From left) Janella Salvador and Win Metawin during a press conference for “Under Parallel Skies.” Image: X/@28squaredstudio

Janella Salvador and Thai actor Win Metawin are superstars in their own right. Even though they come from different worlds, joining forces in their new film “Under Parallel Skies” reminded them that cross-cultural love stories are possible.

Salvador has been active in Philippine showbiz since her teens. Taking on her career as an actress and singer, she showed multiple sides of herself to audiences through the years. Metawin, on the other hand, established himself as one of the biggest names in Thailand and a global ambassador for luxury brands.

“No matter how different we are, because our characters come from different worlds, no matter how different you are, you still live under the same sky,” she said at a press conference for the movie. “We can all connect and the real connection is that we can love each other freely.”

This realization came to Salvador after portraying the role of an overseas Filipino worker (OFW) named Iris, whom she noted is “different” from her real-life personality. She would cross paths with Parin (Metawin) who was in a desperate search for his mother in Hong Kong.

“But I loved everything about it kasi ang dami kong natutunan kay (because I learned a lot from) Iris as an OFW and living in another country. If we have a similarity, we’re both big dreamers,” she continued.

Looking back at experiences behind the scenes, Metawin pointed out that Filipino and Thai cultures are “very similar,” which didn’t give him a hard time adjusting to his castmates and production crew.

“It was a very good experience working with the Filipino team. I think our culture is very similar so I didn’t have to adapt or change anything for myself. We just blended in easily,” he said. “One thing that I realized [about Filipinos] though, is everyone on the set can sing very well. That impressed me a lot.”

Metawin — who always dreamt of working with international actors, producers, and directors — also admitted that he’s different from Parin in real life, but taking on his character taught him that “nothing can buy happiness.” However, it can still be “created on [his] own.”

The film takes place in Hong Kong, but many of its scenes were filmed on an island called Peng Chau and Tai O fishing village. Both actors said they’ve been to Hong Kong for many times, but it was their first time seeing more of the film’s sites.

“People in Peng Chau don’t have cars, they live very simply on that island. It was very nice to observe how different the way of living was there and to really immerse myself and my character,” said Salvador. “I think it’s interesting because we shot in places we don’t usually tour in.”

OUR WINNELLA HEARTS 🤍

LOOK: Filipina actress-singer Janella Salvador and Thai superstar Win Metawin grace the media conference of their upcoming film “Under Parallel Skies.” | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/G1TEL9z2jB

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2024

Janella and Win on love

Iris and Parin find themselves navigating through their respective heartbreaks until they learn to heal in each other’s comfort in the film. But in terms of love, when asked if they would rather have an “instant spark” or fall for a friend, they opted to find love with someone they don’t know.

“There are no rules for love. Anything is possible for me, and you can fall in love with anyone,” Salvador began. “But knowing myself, I would go for an instant spark because if I’ve been friends with someone for a long time, I wouldn’t want to ruin the friendship. I just want to be friends with the person.”

Metawin admitted that it’s “hard” for him to consider falling for a friend. “An instant spark for me too.”

LOOK: To cap off the “Under Parallel Skies” press conference, the production team of the movie surprised Janella Salvador with a cake to celebrate her birthday.

Salvador and Win Metawin also posed for photos at the end of the event. | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/5xfnig1Dgx

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) April 2, 2024

“If I consider someone as a friend, it’s hard for me to change that relationship,” he continued.

Touching on the topic of love, Metawin also shared that self-love is one of the most important realizations he had throughout his career.

“Never stop loving yourself, no matter how far you go. You need to keep on loving yourself and doing your best,” he said.