Bela Padilla, Carlo Aquino to reunite in new film ‘A Special Memory’

Bela Padilla and Carlo Aquino are confirmed to share the screen in the upcoming film “A Special Memory,” eight years after working together in the 2018 flick “Meet Me in St. Gallen.” 

Viva Films confirmed Padilla and Aquino’s reunion film on Wednesday, Feb. 4. It also announced that National Artist for Film & Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee and Jerry Lopez-Sineneng were tapped as the scriptwriter and director, respectively.

“Bela Padilla & Carlo Aquino [shaking hands emoji] National Artist Ricky Lee & Director Jerry Lopez-Sineneng. The long-awaited big screen reunion just got more exciting!” the post read.

In a trailer on Friday, Feb. 6, “A Special Memory” is hinted to revolve around a couple dealing with the heartbreak when one is diagnosed with early onset of a rare Alzheimer’s disease. 

The trailer showed Padilla and Aquino as a happy couple before they were told about the condition of the actress’ character. Another scene showed Padilla bracing for the fear and heartbreak of not knowing whether she would later be able to be with her partner.

While the film is set to premiere on March 11, further details are yet to be announced. The storyline is said to be inspired by the 2001 Japanese drama “Pure Soul” and the 2004 Korean film “A Moment to Remember.”

Padilla, who resigned with ABS-CBN’s Star Magic in August 2025, will also star with Richard Gutierrez, Gerald Anderson, Barbie Imperial, and Baron Geisler in the upcoming action drama “Blood vs Duty.”

Meanwhile, Aquino recently starred as Matthew “Matmat” Gonzales in the Philippine adaptation of “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay.” /ra