The choice of love or career is a dilemma that is seen not only in movies but in real life, as well. On August 11, the Filipino movie How To Be Yours tackles these real relationship issues and reunites former real-life couple Bea Alonzo and Gerald Anderson in their first film pairing.
In 2010, Anderson had a controversial break-up with reel and real-life girlfriend Kim Chui — their love-team was popularly known as Kimerald. Very quickly, Anderson found love with his long-time crush Alonzo, which to many, especially hard core Kimerald fans and supporters, was a betrayal of the Kimerald love-team. It was even reported that Alonzo received death threats from Kimerald fans.
Anderson and Alonzo’s relationship, however, did not last long. Six years later, the former flames have agreed to do a movie together.
“Of course it was a no-brainer,” says 27-year-old Anderson in a video conference with Dubai and UK media recently.
“I’ve always wanted to work with Ms Bea Alonzo. It was always a dream to have a chance to work with her — learn from her, watch her and spend time with her. Then I found out I’ll work again with director Dan Villegas — it will be my second movie with him in a year. So it was an easy yes from me.”
Alonzo, 28, says she was equally excited to do the project. “I’ve always wanted to work with Gerald and I liked the movie when it was pitched.”
Alonzo and Anderson play exact opposites but find many reasons to love each other, including a simple shared dream. Alonzo is Anj, a self-taught cook who dreams of making it to a high-end restaurant someday. Anderson is Nino, a sales agent who only wants stability in life. When Anj finds herself succeeding, Nino cannot keep pace.
Villegas says it wasn’t difficult to helm a movie with the former flames. “I think it was easier. Since they already know each other and they have a past, you don’t really need to [work on] the chemistry part,” says Villegas. “At first, the difficult part was the awkwardness, but when we crossed that stage, then everything worked smoothly.
“The two of them are always on set even in between takes. They rarely go to their stand-by areas. I think that’s one of the reasons we really bond well on the set. While working, we are like just close friends — everyone is comfortable. I think it helps that they had a past. Their friendship relives — the chemistry is still there,” Villegas added.
Alonzo and Anderson admits it was awkward when they started filming the movie.
“The first day, it was so weird. We are not used to working together and to even be right beside each other, in front of a lot of people... let alone to look at each other with so much love,” Alonzo says.
Anderson says the first day is always an adjustment.
“It doesn’t matter what project you work on, it’s always hard because it’s the first day. You’re still studying your role. You want your partner to feel comfortable,” he says.
But Anderson admits it felt like a dream at first. “It was a very surreal situation for me. I couldn’t believe I was sharing the same screen with someone I had a crush on when I was really young,” he says. “Thank God that I was with direk Dan [a casual title for Villegas]; he really guided me through this.”
He adds: “I was able to witness how she works. How she loves her craft. And it inspired me to become a better actor. I was actually keeping up with her the whole time.”
Alonzo says she also saw a different side of Anderson while doing the movie.
“One thing I’ve discovered from Gerald is that he has grown so much — he has matured in a good way,” she says.
While How To Be Yours is Villegas’ second project with Anderson, after the successful Always Be My Maybe, it’s his first time directing Alonzo.
“I’m so happy because she’s Bea Alonzo. It’s intimidating at first,” says Villegas. “We had a certain workflow that works well. So I’m so happy that I have been given a chance to work with the two artists.”
Alonzo says she is also thankful to have worked with Villegas. “Characterisation wise, it was Dan who really formed our characters,” she says. “I felt, and I’m speaking for myself, that I can’t portray my character without his help.”
She adds: “It’s like I’m blindfolded then he’s guiding me from start to finish. He is really a great director. I’m a fan.”
While doing the movie, Alonzo and Anderson say they had a hard time doing a particular scene: A flashback of their past.
“It was a confrontation scene — it was a scene that you can relate to, so maybe that’s why it was quite hard to do,” says Alonzo.
Anderson says: “The confrontation scene really hit home. I’ve seen it — it was a flashback. And I don’t think I did the scene the way I wanted to because it took me a while to do it — around two to three takes.
“Direk Dan told me, ‘I can’t feel that you want to let go’. I didn’t want to let go but the scene required me to let go. Of course, in real life I didn’t want to let go. Direk Dan said that you have to let it go — let her go. It was very hard for me. Maybe because it’s normal that in our life, we don’t want to remember the past and for us artists that will always come back. In a movie, there’s always a scene that may have happened in real life.”
Having been reunited in a film, is the pair open to a second shot at romance?
Alonzo says she is not closing her doors. “My days are bright and happy. I’m excited. I mean I’m happy but still at that level. I don’t want to process it yet — let it flow.”
Anderson agrees and says both of them are relishing what they have. “Of course, familiar feelings are coming back because I’m with her again. We are just enjoying the moment for now. I want it to just slow down because things happen so fast. I’m enjoying and cherishing every moment.”
