Anne Curtis, Jericho Rosales tackle the spectrum of modern romance

MANILA, Philippines – Just like their much anticipated return as an on-screen couple after 15 years, Anne Curtis and Jericho Rosales feel thrilled to be back working together, this time for an angst romance film that delves into a reconciled love.

Directed by acclaimed Filipino director Irene Villamor, The Loved One follows the story of Ellie, portrayed by Anne, and her old lover Eric, played by Jericho, whose paths cross once again after bidding their final goodbye to each other a decade ago.

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Starring alongside them are Luis Alandy, Ian Pangilinan, and Max Eigenmann, along with Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who’s making her acting debut in the film.

Bringing the story to life

At its core, the film sheds light on confronting the two sides of love, the lover and the loved one, prompting viewers to ask themselves where they stand between the two.

According to Villamor, the story has been developing long before 2018. The project was pitched to various producers and actors, only to be halted by the pandemic. It was not until Cornerstone Studios came on board that the film was revived, prompting a renewed search for its cast.

Among the first to receive the script was Jericho, who initially hesitated to return to the love story genre but eventually changed his stance after being drawn to the depth of the material.

“And then nag date kami ni Direk Irene. Kami muna yung nag date (Direk Irene and I went on a date first). We got to know each other,” the actor shared. “And I said, let me read the script. After reading it, wala na (it’s settled). I could not resist it.”

Anne, meanwhile, said the project arrived just when she was looking to take on more stories that explored emotions and the task of tackling them maturely. She messaged Villamor about this wish, and from there, Anne and Jericho’s on-screen comeback fully took shape. 

Their return, more than a decade in the making, became even more special with the addition of Catriona Gray’s acting debut.

The beauty queen and model said her decision to join the film was anchored in her trust in Villamor, noting that her previous interactions with the director gave her confidence that she would be guided carefully through the process.

“Of course, I really admire Direk Irene. We have run-ins all the time at the office. I love her energy, and I had a feeling she would really walk me through it and she did,” Catriona recalled.

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The Miss Universe titleholder also highlighted that the cast and the honesty of the narrative were major factors in her decision.

“When I heard who the cast was, I was very flattered to be considered as a newbie. Everyone was so kind and accommodating,” she emphasized. “It is also a really beautiful story, and that was the biggest reason why I said yes.”

A new story for an old couple

When Anne learned that Jericho would once again be her co-star, she did not hesitate to immediately take on the project, stating that there was no longer any awkwardness between them.

The two were first paired in the 2008 award-winning romantic war film Baler and reunited again in the Philippine adaptation of the drama series Green Rose in 2011.

“Working with Jericho has always been so easy. We reconnected. A year after, we started filming,” the actress shared. “Working with Jericho again felt really meant to be.”

The same excitement was echoed by the actor, who described his experience working with Anne as “kilig (thrilling),” emphasizing her professionalism and ability to push everyone to elevate the roles they were given.

“She has the right energy for every kind of project. She brings something to the table every time,” he added.

Both actors believe the film gave them the perfect opportunity to reconnect, mirroring the narrative of the story itself. As Jericho put it, it always felt like their chapter was not finished after their previous projects together.

Now, after a 15-year hiatus from romantic collaborations, they believe they can better showcase not only their growth in maturity and professionalism but also add another layer of emotional depth to the story.

“I think it helps that this story is very apt for where we are in our lives now,” Anne explained. “If we did this 18 years ago, it would not have worked.”

“It was perfect timing. The script went through a lot, the cast went through a lot,” she added.

Deconstruction of love

Much like Villamor’s other films such as Sid & Aya: Not a Love Story and Meet Me in St. Gallen, this upcoming Valentine release once again presents a perspective on relationships often tagged as anti-romantic.

The director advises viewers to pay close attention to the details, as the film is a deconstructed narrative of a love that outgrew itself and found its way back. It confronts the nuances of love while balancing individuality.

“Yung pelikula ay deconstruction ng pag-ibig, so paghimay ng relasyon na sampung taon,” she said. “May mga bagay na malingat ka, mawawala ka sa kwento kaya dapat full attention.”

(The film is a deconstruction of love, so it’s a dissection of love for 10 years. There are things that once you take off your sight, you’ll lose the story, so you have be in full attention.)

For most of the cast, the story resonated deeply as it made them question where they stand on the spectrum of love, whether as the lover or the loved one, and confront the mistakes and struggles often committed in relationships.

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Jericho shared that his character Eric represents the traditional Filipino man who often asserts dominance in a relationship, while Anne described Ellie as having a dual personality, shaped in part by her partner’s expectations.

The two leads hope the film challenges traditional norms, showing that men do not always have to take control and women should not be confined by boundaries defined by societal expectations.

Ultimately, the cast hopes audiences will take away lessons they can relate to their own experiences, as the film shows how love can take many forms and that what matters most is how it is nurtured to grow. – Rappler.com

Produced by Viva Films and Cornerstone Studios, ‘The Loved One’ opens in cinemas nationwide during the Valentine season on February 11.