ALL THINGS NEW

by Ronna Capili
StarStudio Magazine, Nov. 2007

John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo take on mature roles for their upcoming movie

Two of Philippine television's biggest young actors and arguably the hottest onscreen tandem are set to release their newest movie, and viewers just can't seem to get enought of their chemistry. John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo have admirably managed to keep both their real and reel life love interests thriving, and six years later, fans are still asking for more. This time around, however, Lloydy and Bea have taken on more mature roles for the movie One More Chance.

Years go by

After four teleseryes and four movies, Cathy Garcia Molina, the upcoming movie's director says, "What will make the audience watch them this time?" In the glitzy world of show business where transition from tweetums roles to more serious ones is a mkae-or-break event, Direk gives a bit of a teaser: "Hindi na pwede 'Boy-Meets-Girl' type of movie because everyone knows their story and mature na sila." And mature, they are. Bea just turned 20 last month, while Lloydy is now 24.

Loving you

In their teleserye Maging Sino Ka Man, the two actors had a love scene, but it was only implied. "TV is restricted, and film shows what television cannot," says the Direk Cathy who also helmed You Got Me and You are The One. One More Chance follows the relationship of Basha (Bea) and Popoy (John Lloyd) who start out as college sweethearts until they become stable professionals. When asked about how the actors were prepared for the role she says, "Kinailangan maging mas matapang and mas daring (si John Lloyd and Bea)," and quickly adds, "They were supportive (of the film)."

Molina also directed John Lloyd and Bea for their movie, Close To You, and she shares that it was the mutual trust and respect for each other that got the two to take on more mature roles. "I assured them na we will do it in the best way, na hindi malaswa or nakakahiya, and that scene is needed."

Two by two

Close to You was released two years ago and Direk Cathy says that Bea and John Lloyd's rapport is now different. "Iba na yung comfortability nila." She even says that their "friendship went a step higher. I'd say probably two to three steps higher." Could it culminate into a real romantic relationship? Perhaps that should be left to destiny and where it will take them. For now, we can expect that the movie will "give character, but even in story and structure." And for now, we can get our kilig doses of Lloydy and Bea on screen.

View behind-the-scenes photos from One More Chance here.
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