WHEN it was announced that Janella Salvador and Jane de Leon would reunite in a new Jun Robles Lana film, many fans clamored for it to be sapphic.
But their wish might not yet happen as the movie, “How To Be A Good Wife,” will not be about Girls’ Love (GL).
Salvador confirmed this on Monday, December 11, in an interview with ABS-CBN News after her “Star Patroller” stint in the network’s flagship newscast TV Patrol.
“The last thing we want to do is queerbait. And I wanna be honest and say that this isn’t a sapphic film,” said the 25-year-old actress when asked if there would be a sapphic part in the story.
Fans of Salvador and De Leon, also known as JaneNella, have been clamoring for a GL project for the two actresses, following their superhero series “Darna” in 2022.
It was during “Darna” that viewers saw their chemistry and began shipping them even though their characters did not have a romantic connection in the show.
There’s hardly any information yet about “How To Be A Good Wife,” but Lana said that the plot is rather unexpected.
A story conference for the film took place in November, where it was also announced that veteran actress Susan Africa will be joining the two young actresses.
But JaneNella shippers shouldn’t lose hope because a GL movie might still be on the table.
Salvador revealed that she and de Leon were supposed to have another film that had a sapphic storyline.
“We actually said yes to that one first, but this movie, yung ‘How to be a Good Wife,’ progressed faster, so ito muna yung inuna namin,” she said, adding that the filming for “How To Be A Good Wife” will kick off this week.
Salvador said there’s no information yet about when they can start filming for the sapphic movie.
Aside from her reunion project with De Leon, Salvador will join the cast of the highly anticipated horror film “Mallari,” one of the official entries in the 49th edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) that will premiere on December 25.
Philippine-based film company Mentorque Productions partnered with Hollywood’s Warner Bros. for the distribution of “Mallari,” marking the latter’s first foray into the mainstream Filipino movie distribution.
2024 projects
The Kapamilya actress is also gearing up for another film with Thai heartthrob Win Metawin, titled “Under Parallel Skies,” which will be released next year.
“I’m really excited for it to come out probably early next year din,” said Salvador.
The movie starring Salvador and Metawin was first announced in July through a short clip posted by production company 28 Squared Studios.
According to reports, “Under Parallel Skies” centers on a man who’s moving forward from his painful past but eventually meets a woman who is connected to that past.
The forthcoming film shot in Hong Kong is directed by award-winning Filipino director Sigrid Bernardo.
Next year, Salvador also plans to release a new album and hold a concert.
“Hopefully matuloy na ‘yung concert ko next year, and my album. I’ve been recording songs so malapit na akong mag-release,” she said.
On September 17, the actress posted several photos of her in a recording studio, along with the caption, “It has finally, finally, finally… officially begun. I hope you’re ready.”
She tagged Star Music and its creative director Jonathan Manalo in the post. The handler of Star Music’s Instagram account replied to Salvador’s post, saying, “sooo ready!”
So, what should her fans look forward to in her upcoming album?
“I’m planning to release singles muna, and then tsaka ako magre-release ng whole album, probably before the concert,” she said.
Salvador revealed that she was planning on a “birthday concert.” She will celebrate her 26th birthday on March 30.
