FILIPINA actress Julia Barretto is about to return to the big screen with a new movie with seasoned actor Aga Muhlach which is set to premiere in the love month.
Barretto is hoping that netizens would give the film “a chance,” as several netizens already raised their eyebrows at it even before it could hit local cinemas.
The 26-year-old actress made this appeal in an Instagram post, where she shared a carousel of behind-the-scenes photos during the filming of her forthcoming movie, “Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko.” The last photo showed a credit that read: “From the musical masterpieces of George Canseco.”
“Please give our film a chance,” she wrote in the caption.
The film is written and directed by Denise O’hara, and is set to premiere on February 7, 2024.
Based on its trailer, “Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko” will tell the story of what music means for the characters of Barretto and Muhlach and how it will connect them together.
The two-minute-and-40-second clip showed Barretto joining a choir, wherein Muhlach serves as a conductor and arranger. Muhlach hears Barretto sing off-key, which leads to the next scenes where Muhlach and Barretto are seen growing closer together as the former helps the latter enhance her singing skills.
A text appeared towards the end of the trailer that read: “A story that will make your hearts sing this Valentine season.”
Muhlach could then be heard asking, “How can we unlove someone by forgetting them? Just as, how can we unhear a song that we love?”
It was in July 2023 when VIVA Films announced that Barretto and Muhlach would team up for a big screen project to be helmed by O’Hara. The movie’s title at that time was “Forgetting Canseco.”
In a previous report by ABS-CBN, the director said that the film would also be a “love letter and tribute” to Canseco, a Filipino composer who is known for his popular ‘90s love songs such as “Muling Ibalik ang Tamis ng Pag-Ibig,” “Ikaw,” and “Ngayon at Kailanman.”
The goal was to introduce the young generation to the late composer’s music, O’Hara shared.
Also joining the cast are Nonie Buencamino, MJ Cayabyab, Boboy Garrovillo, Cindy Miranda, Mimi Marquez, Nicole Omillo, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Frost Sandoval, Taneo Sebastian, and Janine Teñoso.
Netizens’ reception
The Gen Z actress’ post garnered mixed reactions from her Instagram followers, with several of them saying that they found the pair up “inappropriate” with the two main characters having a large age gap.
While some netizens said they don’t see the chemistry between the two celebrities, others are still supportive of the forthcoming movie and said that they are excited about it.
Some personalities also left positive comments on Barretto’s post, including her mother Marjorie, actress Iza Calzado, and vocalist Gian Bernardino of Baguio-based band Cup of Joe.
The young OPM band’s song “Ikaw Pa Rin Ang Pipiliin Ko” is featured in the film’s trailer.
Meanwhile, several social media users defended the Barretto-Muhlach film and said that they should not criticize the film without giving a chance to see it.
There could be a “twist” in the story, they said.
