Dawn Zulueta, Piolo Pascual and Coleen Garcia (CDN PHOTO / EDD BUENAVIAJE)
True love has no limit, no boundaries. It cannot be measured. It doesn’t look at one’s age or skin color, physical attributes or material possessions.
Love is accepting someone, regardless of who he or she is. Love is all about respect—looking beyond one’s imperfection, weaknesses and failures.
Star Cinema’s summer ofering “Love Me Tomorrow” top billed by Dawn Zulueta, Piolo Pascual and Coleen Garcia explores how age differences matter (or not) when someone decides to love.
Zulueta plays the role of Christy, a married fashion designer who falls for JC (Pascual), a disc jockey several years younger than her.
Garcia comes into the picture as young socialite Janine, who competes with Christy and whose relationship with JC has no label.
Directed by Gino M. Santos, the film earned a whopping P13 million on opening day last Wednesday. Santos also directed Garcia in the 2015 film “Ex with Benefits,” which she co-starred with Derek Ramsay.
“Love Me Tomorrow” is the fourth film from Star Cinema to be released this year. Last Monday, Zulueta, Pascual and Garcia were in Cebu to promote
the film and to perform for their fans in a mall show at SM City Cebu and SM Seaside City Cebu.
The main stars, incidentally representing different age brackets (Dawn is 47, Piolo is 39 and Coleen is 23), shared their views on the many facets and stages of romantic relationships, including the issue of age differences, with Cebu’s entertainment media.
Dawn and Piolo, you play characters in a May-December love affair. What was your stand on this before and after doing the film?
Dawn: I’ve always believed that if two people have no strings attached, age really doesn’t matter. Now I have that project that tackles this subject in particular, I understand it even more. It really happens to people… age is really just a number. I speak for myself. I’m 47 years old, but in my heart I’m 24 years old, except that I am wiser. Should it happen to you… falling in love with someone who’s much older or much younger, then you should not feel guilty about it. If you’re not attached anyway, and the person you love is also not attached, what’s to stop you from pursuing love?
Piolo: My stand on this is that age doesn’t really matter. Love transcends everything. I believe in it. If I see that people are happy together and if they love each other then there’s no problem.
What about you, Coleen?
Coleen: Definitely, I can attest that age really doesn’t matter. You should be with somebody who makes you feel alive, young and gives color in your life. I think when it comes to love and relationships there should be no limit.
Dawn, in this movie you sort of compete with Coleen. Was there ever a time in your showbiz career that you felt “threatened” by younger actresses?
Looking back, no. It has always been about teamwork. For me, the reason why they chose somebody younger is because that is the character they need. That’s why they chose me because that’s what the character calls for. I’m comfortable naman with my age and what my limits are.
Coleen, how was your first day of shooting with Dawn and Piolo? How did they make you comfortable considering that you are the youngest among the leads?
With Piolo, it was a club scene. It was exciting and I didn’t know what to expect … working with a new set of people who have been in the business for quite a while, all very experienced. I felt the pressure at first, but as the shooting progressed, I found out that they’re very down to earth people.
Piolo, did you really suggest his film to the Star Cinema bosses? How involved were you in the process?
Piolo: I was actually surprised when I was told that I’d be working with Dawn. It was really Star Cinema that brought up the idea of us working together. This is our first project.
Dawn: Piolo and I were really thinking about doing a project together. But at that time, we really didn’t know if Star Cinema will be interested in putting us together in a film. We were really thinking just to produce it. That’s why during the Star Magic Ball last year, I talked to my husband Anton (Lagdameo), and he said: “Yes, I will help you produce it.” And we prepared for that. Until a call from Star Cinema came. I’m so happy that it was Star Cinema that came up with this project.
What sparked this interest to work together?
Dawn: I already had the interest to work with him even before he wanted to do a film with me. But at that time I had just given birth. So I figured, how would that happen? Piolo is hottest thing in town, he has the best and youngest leading ladies so how would I come into the picture? So, I just waited and lost weight. One day he told me that he would like to work with me. I was like: Wow! I have been thinking how it would happen. But I really didn’t know what project. Ano bang bagay sa atin? Ano ‘yung gusto ng tao para sa atin? Those questions. If no producers would take it, then let us just come up with our own. We will just make it happen.
Coleen, you did a sexy role in “Ex With Benefits” and now you also have sexy scenes in this film. Are you comfortable being known for such roles?
Well, in a way yes, I’m pressured. Bawal akong tumaba! (laughs)
Dawn, any comments on Richard Gomez winning as mayor of Ormoc City?
Dawn: I’m very happy for him. He finally got lucky! Hahaha. Because he tried it several times already. I think the nice part is that he and Lucy will be working together to serve their constituents.
But your projects as a loveteam might get affected.
Dawn: He really has to take a break (from showbiz). I can imagine what kind of work he has or he will have as a mayor. I don’t think we will work anytime soon.
Dawn, in one interview you described Piolo as a dreamboat. Can you elaborate on that?
Don’t you all think he’s a dreamboat? Everyone would go weak at the knees and fall in love with him! (Turning to Piolo) I’m sorry we’ve objectified you. Hahaha. I’m sorry but you’re good looking kasi and still single. Everyone is dreaming of taking you! Coleen, what did you say about Piolo?
Coleen: He’s a bucketlist! As in next to bungee-jumping.
Dawn: I agree with her.
Piolo: Well, thank you! Hahaha.
Piolo, how do you keep yourself looking fit and young?
Piolo: I workout, I do cardio, sauna … make sure I sweat. I do regular exercise, eat a balance diet and get enough sleep. It’s also about outlook. And loving yourself. Live well. Be humble, faithful to the Lord and be positive in your actions.
What about you Dawn?
I do ballet. Apart from that, maintaining positive attitude. I try to enjoy life, like what Piolo said. You only live once, except in my case… I eat, I eat, I eat. In his case, he goes to the gym everyday. Hahaha!
Coleen, how did you prepare for your intimate scenes with Piolo?
Well, pinag-usapan namin nang mabuti. When it comes to that scenes we take it on the first take pa lang para we won’t do it over and over again.
So we really talked about it, we collaborated with Direk Gino and pinag-usapan talaga namin ‘yan. We made sure we rehearsed t everything. When it comes to sensitive scenes like that, it is best to give it your all on the first take pa lang.
Dawn Zulueta, Piolo Pascual and Coleen Garcia (CDN PHOTO / EDD BUENAVIAJE)
Dawn, do you also have sexy scenes in the movie?
I think it is not part of the menu anymore! I do not serve that anymore. We do have some nice scenes. I can’t tell you but you just have to watch.
Coleen, what does you boyfriend (singer-actor Billy Crawford) say about the intimate scenes?
I explained to him how it is done. Especially with Direk Gino, he has a lot of tricks, ways to shoot to make the scenes look very sensual even though the shot is just a stroke of an arm. That is how good Direk Gino is. But yeah, he’s okay naman.
Billy has been talking about settling down. What’s your reaction?
We talk about it and we are pretty much on the same page. He is just older than me. That is why I am always joking about it. He is 34 and I am turning 24 pa lang this year. In our case one thing that sets us apart is our age but he is mentally immature. Hahaha. Joke! Mentally we are on the same age. That is all that matters. Somewhere we meet in the middle. Wala pa namang time frame.
What lessons can you impart to viewers after watching this film?
Coleen: Ako, based on what I feel in this movie … my take is that age is just a number. You can learn. You can grow at any age. No matter what stage you are in life. No matter where you are in your life. There is still time to improve yourself, to continue to discover what you are and you’re capable of doing.
Piolo: Love is worth fighting for. Age does not really matter. Kung ano ba ang i-se-serve ng relationship nyo–to make you or break you. Will it last a lifetime? All those questions will be answered. For me it is very interesting.
Dawn: I think maraming mapupulot (na aral). Depending on where you are and where you’ve been. This kind of project challenges the mind of the audience. That age does not really matter. In life, people come into your life for a reason, a lesson or a lifetime.
Piolo, is it true that you prefer someone younger? Has that view changed after doing this film?
Wala namang kaso siguro. When love is there. My only consideration was I wanted to have more babies. I wanted to have someone younger.
Any more dream roles, Dawn?
I think ang kulang sa ang ating industry, among local films is science fiction. Mga ganyan. I’d like to do something like that. Also, something that requires me to do action.
Superhero movies are very popular these days. If you were to portray a superhero, who would you be?
Dawn: Si Piolo lang pasok n’yan eh. Hahaha! Wala akong maisip. I am not a fan.
Piolo: Ako si Thor. Because of his super powers.
Coleen: Gusto ko si Mystique pero kaya lang medyo madumi. Wonder Woman na lang. Mas madali.
Dawn, what advice can you give to Coleen and Piolo on how to survive in the industry?
First of all, it’s an exciting time for you, especially being single, you have a life ahead of you. Even in your career, you have your own good start. The projects and past films were already impressive. Here, she (Coleen) caught my attention. The only thing I will tell Coleen and Piolo–while you work so hard–and I know what life is because I was 24 years old once a upon a time–just make sure it does not consume you. I worked so hard to the point I hardly slept. I did not have time to enjoy life. Yes it is good to work hard because you have a goal but don’t let it consume you that you can’t enjoy the fruits of your hard work. Don’t reach that point when you hate going to work. When you start hating yourself, the people around you. It’s not work if you are not enjoying yourself. This is the reason why I am having a revival of my career because I love my work now. Why I do I love it now? Because I was able to take a break. With that break, I learned so much about myself. Now that I am back in the industry, I have so much to give.
