A NEW family drama will once again tug at the heartstrings of Filipino viewers.
Star Cinema, ABS-CBN’s film arm, unveiled a teaser of its forthcoming film, “Meet, Greet & Bye,” on Monday, introducing the “Diamond Star” Maricel Soriano, Piolo Pascual, Belle Mariano, Juan Karlos Labajo, and Joshua Garcia as its cast members.
In its one-minute and 45-second teaser, the camera pans to framed childhood photos of Pascual, Mariano, Labajo, and Garcia, as their voices call out to their mother in the background.
Soriano can also be heard responding to her children, dropping classic Filipino mom phrases like, “Anong akala mo sa’kin, ha? Nagtatae ng pera?” and “Papunta ka pa lang, pabalik na ko.”
The clip ends with a family photo, with Soriano sitting at the center.
“Come together for a family movie that hits close to home… and heals,” Star Cinema wrote in the caption.
“Meet, Greet & Bye” will be directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, who helmed award-winning family drama films “Seven Sundays” in 2017 and “Four Sisters and a Wedding” in 2013.
Further details about the film, including its plot and premiere date, have yet to be revealed.
A ‘love letter’ to children
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Sampana said that “Meet, Greet & Bye” will serve as her “love letter” to her children.
“This movie is very close to my heart,” the filmmaker said, as quoted as saying in the report. “This might be the love letter of all parents to their children and hopefully, vice versa.”
Sampana revealed that the movie will explore Filipino family dynamics, from how Filipino children are raised to how close their family ties are.
“Parang gusto kong mapakita sa kanila kung paano tayo magmahal,” she said.
“Meet, Greet & Bye” will serve as Labajo’s first Star Cinema project, while this will be the first time Garcia will work with Labajo and Pascual in a family drama film.
Garcia and Mariano previously worked together in the 2017 romantic-comedy film “Love You to the Stars and Back.”
Excited viewers
Meanwhile, netizens were excited for the collaboration between the “Meet, Greet & Bye” cast members.
Among those who look forward to seeing the movie are celebrities Melai Cantiveros-Francisco and Arci Muñoz.
“Abangan ko na ‘to,” Cantiveros-Francisco commented on Star Cinema’s post.
Some, on the other hand, could not wait to see Mariano’s acting chops on the big screen.
“I’m already crying!! That last delivery of ‘Ma?’ from Belle… I can’t wait!! Belle’s finally back on the big screen,” one netizen said.
“OMG!!! Nakahanda na agad ang tissue. Can’t wait for Belle x Maricel x Piolo x Joshua x JK!!!” another Instagram user expressed.
