And we’re not surprised because Dan Villegas has a good track record as a director. As a matter of fact, his recent entry at the Cinema One Filmfest, “Changing Partners”, just won him another best director award and the best actor and best actress plums for Jojit Lorenzo and Agot Isidro. So it will not be surprising if he’d duplicate this feat in the coming Metro Filmfest awards night, winning once again the filmfest best director award (which he already won for “English Only, Please” and “Walang Forever”) and the trophies for best acting for Derek and Jennylyn.
At the film’s presscon, Jen says she is not expecting to win again. “Lagi naman akong no expectations,” she adds. “Basta I try my best para maawa ko nang maayos ang trabaho ko. Mas gusto kong magustuhan ng tao ang performance ko at panoorin nilang lahat ang movie. Winning is just a bonus.”In the movie, Jen plays Gabby and Derek plays Gab. They fall in love on their first date when they meet in Taiwan and soon start living together. They are happy for three years, then their conflicting views on love and marriage get into the picture. Will they go on or split up?
So how different is “All Of You” compared to her first movie with Derek? “Definitely, this one is more mature. More on comedy ang ‘English Only’. Babaeng bakla ang role ko roon, jologs pa. This one, may comedy rin, pero mas mabibigat ang eksena about the very real highs and lows in having a serious relationship. Mas marami rin kaming love scenes, na more daring than before.”
How is it working with Derek for the second time? “Matagal kaming di nagkita but we were able to catch up right away. Hindi naman siya nagbago and dito, napakalaking tulong niya kasi mas serious ang issues involved. Mas matindi ang rapport namin ngayon, kasi i-tap lang niya ako, naiiyak na agad ako. Pero di ako ready sa sobrang daming love scenes namin, kahit nabasa ko naman yung script before hand. Todo sa pagka-daring ang ginawa namin dito. But, in fairness to Derek, napakaingat niya sa very intimate scenes namin kaya wala kaming naging problema at all.”
In the story, she seems the one who resists marriage. “Hindi naman resistance yung sa’kin. Actually, marriage is really up to the guys kasi they’re the ones who propose. Kami namang girls, it depends on us kung ready na ba kami o hindi, dahil oo o hindi lang naman ang sagot.”
So, in real life, is she ready to walk down the aisle soon? “Ay, hindi pa ako ready. Marami pa akong gustong gawin sa buhay ko. Gusto ko pang mag-enjoy!”
“All of You” opens nationwide on Christmas Day. It also stars Sam Milby, Solenn Heussaff, Rafael Rosell, Yayo Aguila, Hannah LEdesma, Nico Antonio, Kean Cipriano, Enzo Marcos, Via Antonio, Kelvin Yu, Kate Alejandrino and Milo Elmido, produced by Quantum Films, MJM, Globe Studio and Planet A Media,from a script written by Mae Chua, Carl Chavez & Direk Dan Villegas himself. The theme song, “Dying Inside”, is sung by Darren Espanto and there's another theme song written and interpreted by Nar Cabico.
