‘The Hopeful Romantic’ Grand Press Conference

Pepe Herrera, Ritz Azul and Director Topel Lee. Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

The soon-to-be released ‘The Hopeful Romantic’ is a romantic-comedy that will resonate strongly with the single male demographic who are searching for their “dream girl”. But don’t get me wrong. This is also a perfect movie date and a film that everyone can watch and enjoy to the hilt.

In ‘The Hopeful Romantic’, almost every guy’s vision and picture of his “dream girl” is pretty much embodied in the beautiful, voluptuous, classy, and yet very modern Filipina-looking Ritz Azul. A rare combination nowadays in showbiz, indeed, are those qualities and traits she possesses.

Yes, you heard that right! Ritz Azul is the lead star of this movie. You know who she is and you know the television shows and movies she has been a part of. And ‘The Hopeful Romantic’ happens to be Ritz Azul’s very first lead movie role. This is certainly a long time coming for her, if you ask me. And thanks to Regal Entertainment, Inc., it has finally happened that one of the most beautiful young faces in showbiz in Ritz Azul will have her very own movie.

One would expect that someone as eye catching as Ritz Azul will be paired up with a hunk of a man with “Adonis looks”. On the contrary, though, it is. Because Pepe Herrera plays Ritz Azul’s leading man. And boy, does he break the mold of the perfect leading man! Pepe Herrera serves as the perfect antithesis of a leading man for a beautiful lady, Ritz Azul. Why, he’s too ugly, methinks!Their comical pairing alone is a precursor of all the funny mishaps, misfortunes, and misadventures ‘The Hopeful Romantic’ promises to give the moviegoers.

Unconventional, unorthodox, and non-formulaic. That is how a romantic-comedy movie should be–by throwing away the proverbial “rule book” in filmmaking. And because of those said reasons I believe ‘The Hopeful Romantic’ will deliver the goods come its nationwide release in cinemas on September 12, 2018.

‘The Hopeful Romantic’ is directed by Topel Lee.

‘The Hopeful Romantic’ stars Ritz Azul and Pepe Herrera and is produced by Regal Entertainment, Inc.

Pepe Herrera, Ritz Azul and Director Topel Lee. Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

Now, here are my questions for Ritz Azul and Pepe Herrera:

1) Can you share with us a funny experience while filming this movie?

Ritz Azul: Ako, siguro yung bed scene… tawang-tawa ako dun! Kasi unang-una, natatawa ako sa reaksyon ni Pepe, hindi yung character niya kundi si Pepe mismo dahil kabadong-kabado siya ! Nanginginig yung kamay niya, nanginginig yung buong katawan niya, as in nag v-vibrate siya, parang siyang telepono na nag v-vibrate. Ganun ! hahaha…

Tapos, yung reactions niya… basta, nakakatawa yung reactions ni Pepe dito sa scene. Tapos, si Direk Topel Lee ang dami pa na nakuha na shots. Tapos, yung mga kuha ni Direk na shots ay nakakatawa na mismo. Yun.

Pepe Herrera: Sa akin, siyempre nakabasag ako! Yan ang pinakakatawa sa lahat. Hahaha… Dun pa lang kasi tinatawanan mo na siya kasi lumipas na yung initial trauma. With all honesty, meron po talaga kasi akong clumsy side na medyo malakas.

2) If you could have only one dish for the rest of your life, what would that be, and why?

Ritz Azul: Ang hirap naman nun… sa buong buhay ko as in one dish lang ! Hala ! hahaha… Ako, may nagawa na ako sa in one month. So, eto na rin siguro ang choice ko, apple. Kasi nga sabi nila, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”. Pero nagawa ko na po yun in one month… so, sa tingin ko, kaya ko naman mag fruits lang sa buong buhay ko!

Pepe Herrera: Ako, coconut. hahaha…

Ritz Azul, Pepe Herrera and Director Topel Lee. Photo by Joseph R. Atilano

3) Being who you are, Ritz Azul, and I would imagine every man’s dream girl, how do you deal with hopeful romantics in real life?

Ritz Azul: Ako, as Ritz Azul, sa suitors naman open naman ako. Siyempre kung may pagtingin ka sa akin, dapat pakita mo paano. Hindi lang naman ako mag-“okay” bigla sayo.

Gusto ko, siyempre, galing sa puso. Kung gusto mo ako, siyempre, eh di pakita mo paano. Pero, siyempre, sasabihin ko ito priority ko. Ito ang gusto ko ang mangyari. Bahala ka na mag-intindi kung tutuloy ka pa ba o hindi na.