John Lloyd Cruz and Jennylyn Mercado, two of the Philippines’ most bankable film actors, have joined forces for the much awaited romantic comedy Just the 3 of Us, generating strong interest from fans in the Philippines and abroad.
Showing in UAE cinemas from May 5, Just the 3 of Us tells the story of Uno Abusado (Cruz) and CJ Manalo (Mercado), who are complete strangers and opposites thrown by fate into each other’s way. Both work in the airline industry — Uno is a pilot who meticulously plans his life but comes home to an empty nest, while CJ is a ground crew who dreams of becoming a flight attendant.
The movie teaser introduces the film’s central plot: CJ tries to convince Uno that he is the father of her unborn child. The two strike a deal and Uno has six months to prove otherwise while he lives under the same roof as CJ.
Cruz, who with Mercado and director Cathy Garcia-Molina joined a video press conference in Dubai and Europe on Thursday, says doing the movie was fun, but oddly, the most enjoyable part was when they were about to wrap up.
"Just the 3 of Us tells the story of Uno Abusado and C.J. Manalo, strangers and opposites thrown together by fate. (Image Credit: Star Cinema)"
“Well, the happiest experience for the three of us — for sure we have the same answer — was our favourite scene, the ending,” says Cruz. “It’s the last day, but during that time we were able solidify our camaraderie, our rapport. And there we realised that, ugh, you’re right, we couldn’t have enough of it. So I’m really hoping to do another film with Jen together also with [director] Cathy. So yeah, it’s one of the happiest things we did while doing the movie.”
The 32-year-old actor has been consistently working with Molina on the big screen since 2006, with hits such as A Very Special Love and You Changed My Life with Sarah Geronimo and the iconic One More Chance and its sequel A Second Chance with his perennial on-screen love interest Bea Alonzo. One More Chance and A Second Chance were such huge hits that fans couldn’t help compare his character Popoy in that movie to Uno — how different or similar can they be?
“Uno has a different journey, he goes through different experiences,” says Cruz. “He’s not afraid and he’s not out there to please everyone — he’s that kind of character. There are similarities, but the two are different characters. There is a big difference.
“All we can do is hope that with what we’ve done in the movie, when they go out of the theatre, the character will linger on, especially if you agree with the movie. I really hope so.”
"John Lloyd Cruz plays a driven pilot in Just the 3 of Us. (Image Credit: Star Cinema)"
Molina adds: “If you want to compare Uno with Popoy, it’s really different. I would rather compare Uno Abusado to Miggy Montenegro [the role Cruz portrayed in A Very Special Love and You Changed My Life].”
While Cruz and Molina have been working together for a decade now, it is the first time Cruz and Mercado share the big screen.
“Jen is not only a great actress, but she is also a singer. Don’t let her sing now, because she’s shy,” jokes Cruz. “Besides the obvious, we all know that Jen is a health buff. To make it short, I discovered that she is a superwoman in all that she does — she’s able to balance everything, every single day,” says Cruz, adding that he could not compare Mercado with the other actresses he’s worked with before.
“They are different from each other. Well, she’s the first one that I call a superwoman. They don’t have Jazz [Mercado’s son with fellow actor Patrick Garcia] — that sets her apart. There are different sensibilities when you are caring for someone.”
The other side
The 28-year-old Mercado entered the world of showbiz after she won the first season of the television reality talent competition StarStruck in 2003. While doing the film, Mercado says she enjoyed getting to know the “other side” of Cruz.
“We all know that John Lloyd Cruz is a great actor — he’s really different,” says Mercado. “I learnt a lot from him. And I was happy to know that he was not that serious in life. He has a funny side in him and I appreciated that very much.”
Cruz, who’s been in the industry for almost two decades, has also been a regular face abroad as many of his movies are shown internationally. Asked if he still feels any pressure catering to an international audience, Cruz admits he feels the burden as in any of his projects.
“Pressure will always be around, especially after doing a film that is about to be shown. But we have to find a way to work on your advantage. Pressure keeps me alive, it keeps me on my toes. It’s hard if you will just be complacent in whatever you do. If you don’t feel any pressure, that’s what’s alarming.”
He adds: “In the last six months this is my fourth movie and people can see the different things I’ve done, different varieties that I’m offering the audience. They’ve accepted and appreciated these movies despite being different from each other.”
He says he intends to explore more projects and broaden his portfolio. I believe that the audience now is really different. You don’t know what they really want — you cannot underestimate the audience nowadays.”
Same same, but different
Cruz and Mercado also talk about the similarities of their characters to their own personality.
“If there is a similarity, it is how driven Uno is about what he wants to achieve in life and his dedication. I’m very much driven in the things that I’m interested in and there are so many things that I want to achieve. But Uno’s lifestyle is different from mine,” says Cruz.
As for Mercado, it’s her family that connects her with the character. “For me it’s the love that I have for my family. CJ will do anything for her family. I’m also like that.”
Molina, who already has seven films listed among the highest-grossing movies in the Philippines, says the movie also gave her an opportunity to learn more about the actors. “There’s only a small similarity with their personality and that of the characters in the movie. Jen is silent in real life, but in the movie no, the character is quirky. In real life, both of them have logical thinking — the characters don’t have a logical mind.”
She adds laughing: “Uno Abusado is a womaniser, while John Lloyd is not.” Cruz, of course, has been linked to different stars in the past. His last relationship was with Angelica Panganiban and he is now being linked with his long-time on-screen partner Alonzo, although both denied being in a relationship.
The 44-year old director, having directed most romantic comedy films, says the formula of a successful romcom movie is to have two totally opposite characters.
“That’s the quick formula for a romcom — two different characters from two different worlds. You meet and then you get a banter. If you have two very similar people, it’s going to bore you,” says Molina.
