(From left) Paolo Contis, Kaye Abad, and Patrick Garcia. Image: Courtesy of Netflix Philippines
Even though it’s been 25 years since “Tabing Ilog,” the friendship among Kaye Abad, Paolo Contis, and Patrick Garcia remained strong. Even to the point of noting their reunion film, “A Journey,” as a reminder of how strong their bond was.
Abad, Contis, and Garcia star as longtime friends in “A Journey,” which revolves around a woman who refused to be treated for her cancer, and instead went on a road trip to Australia with her husband and best friend.
But while the story tells the story of hope, what shined among the leads was how they made work feel like a friendship reunion, with Contis being vocal about his support for his co-stars’ return to acting.
From screen to real-life
“The whole shoot was basically like the film. ‘A Journey’ is about friendship, [and nag-reflect] din ‘yun sa’min,” he said in an exclusive roundtable with his costars and director RC Delos Reyes. “We trusted each other and relied on each other, lalo sa mga eksenang mahirap at kailangang mag-tulungan.”
(The whole shoot was basically like the film. “A Journey” is about friendship, and it reflects on us. We trusted and relied on each other, especially when it comes to tough scenes that need support.)
Although Garcia starred as the single guy Tupe in the film, his character didn’t feel like a mere third wheel to the married Bryan (Contis) and Shane (Abad). “It’s nice to bring back our friendship in ‘Tabing Ilog,’” he said.
“Knowing we’re going to be together, hindi naman ako kinabahan (I wasn’t nervous),” he continued. “I’ve been gone for four years, but working with these two brought so much [memories] back.”
(From left) Patrick Garcia, Kaye Abad, and Paolo Contis. Image: Courtesy of Netflix Philippines
Abad, who was teased by Contis and Garcia throughout the roundtable, said “rekindling” these lighthearted moments was one of the reasons why doing the film was “very memorable” for her.
“Kinabahan ako at first kasi kung si Patrick, four years, ako five years. Kinabahan ako kung marunong pa akong umarte, magpuyat, and mag-memorize bilang kaka-epidural ko lang,” she said, which earned a snort from her co-stars. “But the staff, directors, and actors made me feel comfortable.”
(I was very nervous because if Patrick was gone for four years, I was gone for five years. I was nervous because I didn’t know if I could still act, stay up for hours, and memorize lines knowing I came from an epidural. But the staff, directors, and actors made me feel comfortable.)
READ: Paolo Contis, Kaye Abad, Patrick Garcia start filming in Australia for reunion movie
Behind-the-scene teasing
Throughout their banter, Abad, Contis, and Garcia said apart from the playful teasing, there were a lot of behind-the-scene moments that reminded them of how strong their friendship was.
For Abad, she never felt a sense of competition while working with the actors. “Na-feel ko ‘yung bigayan. Kapag moment mo ‘to, moment mo ‘to. D’un ko na-feel na walang kumpetisyon or sapawan sa grupo na ‘to,” she said. “Dito ko na-feel na totoo silang kaibigan at professional.”
(I feel them giving way to each other. If it’s your moment, it’s your moment. I never felt outshined in this group. I felt they were true friends and were indeed professional.)
(From left) Paolo Contis, Kaye Abad, and Patrick Garcia. Image: Courtesy of Netflix Philippines
Laughter swept the roundtable once again when Abad bragged about being treated by Contis and Garcia throughout filming. This led to the Kapuso actor joking that she never brought out her wallet whenever they went out.
Garcia, on the other hand, recalled how Contis messaged him during his first day of filming if he needed the latter to visit for mutual support, which touched his heart in return.
“On my first day, Paolo asked me if I was okay which really touched me,” he said. “Knowing that everybody is there to support each other to make the set light so we can properly shoot the film.”
READ: Tabing Ilog: The Musical, an ode to Gen Z’s ‘old time’s sake’ friendship
Contis drew laughs again after looking back at an emotional scene where he and Abad had to cry, but both had a hard time making their crying scenes. This prompted the director to move their shoot to the next day but instead of crying, they ended up hugging for a long time instead.
“Na pressure ako kasi kasama ko n’un si Kaye — and comeback niya ‘to — buti na lang di rin siya makaiyak,” he said while laughing. “Noong ready na ako, pinuntahan ako ni Kaye tapos niyakap niya ako. Niyakap ko rin siya. Akala ko nagpe-prepare siya, akala niya nagpe-prepare rin ako.”
(I was pressured because I was with Kaye and it was her acting comeback. It’s a good thing she didn’t cry. So when I was ready, Kaye went up to me and hugged me. I hugged her in return. I thought she was preparing to cry, and vice versa.
(From left) Paolo Contis, Kaye Abad, and Patrick Garcia. Image: Courtesy of Netflix Philippines
Abad then chimed in, saying, “Muntik nang ma-chopsuey ang eksena!” The actor said in response, “Kasi yakapan lang kami.”
Garcia also had his own account of his co-actors’ behind-the-scene moment, as he was watching both of them with director RC Delos Reyes.
“Nand’un ako! Kasama ko si direk, sabi ko, ang bagal ng mga ‘to (I was there. I was watching with the director and I thought, ‘Why are they slow),’” he said, which led to Contis, Abad, and Delos Reyes cackling again.
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