What JC Santos loves about working with Bela Padilla

Costars JC Santos (left) and Bela Padilla

Bela Padilla and JC Santos got me totally engrossed in their movie, “The Day After Valentine’s” (Viva Films’ entry in the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, from Aug. 15 to 21).

It’s not the usual “Stupid Cupid” stuff. From start to finish, the tandem nailed it. JC portrays a lost and wounded soul, while Bela plays his lifesaver.

I predict that their movie will be the festival’s top-grosser. “TDAV” serves as a reminder that love must empower and not overpower us.

It also shows that breakups can turn out to be breakthroughs, après tout.

The day after Hearts’ Day will not turn into “Hurts’ Day” if we play our cards right.

Here’s my chat with JC:

What does your movie tell us about moving on? To set your mind to stop living in the past or future. Just enjoy the present.

What makes a girl “best friend material” and “girlfriend material?” “Best friend material” is always “girlfriend material.” You have to be good friends for a relationship to work.

What’s your favorite scene in the movie? The scene where I delivered, “Wala naman taong umaamin na hindi … [siya] OK.”

What do you love about working with Bela? Her clever sense of humor.

What’s the craziest thing that you’ve done? Becoming an actor (laughs).

Would you take an ex back? Nope. That’s already history.

What do you find hard to understand about girls? Mood swings.

If your life story would be made into a movie, what would the title be? And who would you want to portray you? It’ll be a comedy like “Dumb and Dumber” or “Dude, Where’s My Car?”—the story would be how I’m just weirdly crazy and lucky to end up where I am right now.

I want Pepe Herrera to play me. The title would be “Sige nga!”

Here’s my chat with Bela:

Among all the hugot lines in your movie, which one can you relate to the most and why? “Hindi ako aabot sa sasaktan ko ’yung sarili ko.”

My character knows when too much is too much. I know I’m very patient … It takes a lot to push me to the edge, but when you get me there, we’re done.

Based on your own experience, how do you move on and let go? I like thinking of the happy moments. To others, this will sound silly and counterproductive, but it works for me.

Although I’m sad it ended, I’m still grateful for the good times during our time together. Bitterness will merely slow down the process of moving on.

What was the hardest thing you had to forgive yourself for? When I make mistakes in my work, I think about it over and over again. I ask myself how I could do better next time.

Personal: Muchisimas gracias to my newfound friend, Mel Ongsue-Lee, of Hi-Precision Diagnostics for helping me start my wellness journey (for home service medical checkups, call 741-7777).