John Lloyd-Bea film in the works, Cathy Garcia-Molina spills
Are chances high for a John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo big screen reunion soon?
Cathy Garcia-Molina, who directed the hot tandem's previous blockbusters Once More Chance and A Second Chance, is likewise hoping for an eventuality.
In a blog conference for fundraiser "Pakpak ng Pangarap" held last Thursday, the veteran filmmaker revealed working out the details of one—until COVID-19 happened.
"I was supposed to do talaga John Lloyd-Bea, 'yun ang naka-lineup sa akin during the pandemic. As in 'yun ang mini-meeting namin lagi. Until medyo tumatagal kami kasi siyempre hindi namin matantiya talaga 'yung pandemya 'di ba? Siyempre may creative process pa 'yan. Inabutan na nang hindi available si Lloydy, may mga prior commitments na sya. So na-put on hold," she narrated.
Garcia-Molina revealed having some other projects come her way later on, which altogether made the potential of a threequel hazy.
The unpredictability brought about by the pandemic also led to the director to postpone the project. The concept of producing a film while on social distancing, she specified, didn't quite match her rather traditional methods.
"Ako po ang nagsasabi sa Star Cinema, I am very open to them, very honest na it will really be very hard for me to direct ng may social distancing," she opened up. "Highly physical ako mag-direct. I hold them. I talk to them. I touch them. Sabi ko, ‘Paano ko ‘to imo-motivate ng malayo?’ I talk to my cameramen. Ako, gusto ko sama-sama ang staff ko kapag kumakain kami. Tapos one seat apart. Hindi ko kayang i-figure out sa utak ko talaga."
Although, Garcia-Molina is not one to disregard those who have successfully adapted to the new normal work conditions. In fact, coming from a film outfit who only managed to produce two flicks this year pre-pandemic (Block Z and James and Pat and Dave), she praised these filmmakers who have made it possible to make motion picture art using mostly online media.
"I know there are ways because some did it and I congratulate them. Sobrang saludo ako sa kanila for being able to do that. But me, I told Inang (Olivia Lamasan), I don’t know how I would do it with the same passion and intensity kung ang lalayo nila sa akin. Kaya sabi ko kung kaya namang i-delay, i-delay nila," she said.
Still, hopeful, Garcia-Molina relayed her "excitement."
"Na-miss ko na rin si John Lloyd Cruz. Sabi ko nga sa kanya bago ang pandemya, nagkita pa kami sa UP... inaayos namin itong kuwento, tapos nag-meeting na rin kami online. Alam nyo po marami nang ganun hanggang sa doon 'di umabot. 'Di bale, matutuloy din 'yan."
Apart from Cruz and Alonzo, Garcia-Molina in an earlier chat disclosed other celebs whom she would be working with in the pipeline. Among them: Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, Liza Soberano and Enrique Gil, Vice Ganda, and Alden Richards.
Cruz and Alonzo, who started out as small screen partners via Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay in 2002, made headlines last April with their rather flirty online interactions. Days following a sweet Instagram comment exchange, the two would "catch up" on an Instagram Live session—then revealed to be experimental short film Love Team with Antoinette Jadaone at the helm.
Banner image courtesy of Star Cinema