MANILA/TOKYO – Award-winning TV and film superstars Coco Martin and Angelica Panganiban have teamed up for the first time on ABS-CBN Star Cinema's much-awaited Filipino romantic comedy “Love or Money” now available for global viewing on iWantTFC.
Speaking with Filipino-Japanese Journal (FJJ) during a virtual media conference last March 8, Coco shared what Angelica told him before they made the film.
“Kwentuhan kami, habang nag-uusap kami, sabi niyang [Angelica] ganun, ‘Gawin natin ito, maganda itong pelikula, pa-inlove-in natin sila’. Ibig sabihin trabahuhin namin itong pelikula na ito,” he recounted.
This was affirmed by blockbuster hit filmmaker Mae Cruz Alviar, who directed the movie.
“First time to be together. Pero yun nga, I have to say na doon mo masasabi na magaling yung mga artista – trinabaho nila,” she told FJJ. “I have to say talaga when you watch it, mararamdaman mo talaga, maniniwala kang mahal na mahal nila yung isa’t isa. It’s something to watch out for. Doon mo masasabi na hindi mo kailangang ma-inlove sa tunay na buhay because kayang i-arte kung ganun sila kagaling na artista.”
The story of “Love or Money” revolves around ex-lovers, Leon (Coco) and Angel (Angelica), who cross paths in Dubai three years later after they spent one magical night together that ended with a proposal. But the following day, Angel left Leon without any word.
When they meet again in Dubai where Leon works as a waiter, he finds out that Angel is determined to do anything to realize her dreams and ambitions. As Angel helps Leon figure out his way into the city, Leon sweeps her off her feet again. But will love be enough the second time around?
On Working with Each Other
The Kapamilya actor-director admitted that at first he felt intimidated and scared to reach out to his new leading lady.
“Honestly, siguro sa lahat ng babae na artista, isa siya sa mga parang pinakakinatatakutan ko. Kasi ‘di ba si Angge napaka-prangka. At alam ko na napakagaling niya na artista,” he revealed. “Si Angge – napakakalog, napakaopen; ako naman – napakamahiyain ko. Hindi ko alam paano kami magja-jive.”
“Mula noong nag-shooting na kami sa abroad, medyo na-relax ako ng konti pero every time na nakikita ko siya, kapag lalapitan na niya ako o lolokohin, parang gusto ko sabihin ‘wag na, nahihiya ako’,” he added.
The film was shot in Dubai before the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Pero hindi siya tumigil. Nandoon ‘yung kukulitin niya pa rin ako lalo na kapag inaantok na kami, kaya sabi ko nga hindi man naging sobrang tagal nung pagsho-shooting namin, kahit papaano na-relax na ako sa kanya at medyo nahuli ko na rin yung kiliti at loob niya,” shared Coco.
He went on to confess that he is “proud and sobrang saya ko na nakatrabaho ko ang isang Angelica Panganiban.”
Angelica, on the other hand, was in awe of his current leading man’s diligence.
“Nabilib ako kung gaano kasipag si Coco. Talagang kung may nakilala akong pinakamasipag na tao, siya ‘yun. Hindi talaga niya kayang magpahinga,” she said.
The seasoned actress shared her impression of Coco.
“Hindi ko siya kilala na kalog eh, bihira naman kaming nagkakasama. Kapag nagkakausap kami, sobrang small talk lang, kumustahan lang. Pero never talaga ‘yung uupo kami sa isang sulok at magkukuwentuhan kami nang matagal,” Angelica disclosed.
“Parang dito sa movie, siyempre nawalan kami ng choice kundi mag-usap dahil kami lang din ‘yung magkakasama. Pero hindi naman siyempre kami napilitan,” she jokingly uttered with a laugh.
Angelica said she had fun working with Coco.
“Talaga namang in-enjoy ko ‘yung every moment na kasama ko siya dahil hindi ko alam kung magkakaroon pa ba ako ng another chance na makatrabaho ko ulit si Coco. In-embrace ko na lahat ng opportunities na meron ako para makakwentuhan siya and mapalapit nga rin talaga sa kanya and maging kaibigan ko siya. Nakakatuwa naman dahil alam ko na may isa na akong Coco Martin na kaibigan.”
Joining Coco and Angelica in “Love or Money” are Gelli De Belen, Ketchup Eusebio, Cai Cortez, Matet De Leon, Dante Rivero, Teresa Loyzaga, Norm McLeod, Pinky Amador, Cheska Inigo and Rose Artist Studio's Jeremiah Lisbo.
Pinoy viewers in Japan can also catch the film on TFC IPTV. - Florenda Corpuz
(Photos courtesy of ABS-CBN Star Cinema)
