CHOOSE and find a reason to stay.
This is the message of Star Cinema’s newest movie, “The Hows Of Us” which stars Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla.
“In general, madali tayong bumitaw, lalo na sa edad namin. Madali kaming bumitaw sa pag-ibig. So ‘yung pinapadala naming mensahe, choose to stay and find the reason why you have to stay. ‘Yung rason na ‘yun, kailangan mahanap ‘yun,” Padilla said during the press conference at the Radisson Blu Cebu on August 27.
“ ‘Yun nga ang sinasabi ni Direk (Cathy Garcia Molina) … na meron tayong isang milyong rason para umalis (sa relationship) pero isang rason lang ang kailangan natin to stay,” he said.
The film centers on the love story of Primo (Padilla), an aspiring band member and George (Bernardo) who wants to be a doctor. The two dream about their future but eventually break up.
“May ibang experience namin na kinuha nila (for the movie) pero may binago lang nang konti. ‘Yung difference medyo malayo and we made sure na ‘pag pinanood nila ‘yung movie, hindi nila makita ang KathNiel. Si Primo at si George talaga,” Bernardo said when asked if the story of the film’s lead stars reflect their own.
As the story also shows regret between the two characters, was there ever a point in their relationship that they felt regret about being together?
“No, never kong na feel. Siguro may mga challenges na dumating na i-ku-question ko sometimes ‘yung relationship pero never ko pinagsisihan,” Bernardo said.
The 22-year-old actress declined to give further details but said that like any relationship, theirs has its own challenges.
“I don’t want to be specific about it pero once nalagpasan niyo ‘yun, mas matibay kayo together. Choice mo kung gusto mo mag stay or not. ‘Yun po ang ginawa namin ni DJ (Padilla’s nickname). So, at the end of the day nasa sa ‘yo pa rin kung gugustuhin mo mag stay,” she said.
Both acknowledge that “The Hows Of Us” is their most challenging and most mature film to date after having starred in seven films together since 2013.
“Hindi na siya boy meets girl. Mag sta-start ang movie na hiwalay na agad sila. Habang tumatagal ‘yung movie makikita mo na ‘yung journey bakit sila naghiwalay. Hindi na siya pa cute talaga,” Bernardo said.
“Makikita mo sa characters kung paano binibitawan ang linya, kung paano yung galaw, yung lakad, damit at make-up. Iba sa ‘She’s Dating the Gangster’ and ‘Can’t Help Falling in Love.’ Na feel din namin na iba talaga,” she added.
Are they ready for more passionate scenes, after having kissed together for the first time in the 2016 film, “Barcelona: A Love Untold”?
“May nagbabawal,” Padilla replied with a laugh.
“Nasa kaliwa siya,” Bernardo said, referring to her mother Min Bernardo who was also present during the press conference.
“Siguro ayaw muna natin makita sa mga mahahalay. Siyempre marami tayong mga batang supporters. I think isa itong storya na very mature pero hindi kailangan ng love scene,” Padilla said.