"My Only U" graded B by CEB

As part of the 15th anniversary celebration of Star Cinema, My Only U serves as a fitting tribute to past hits of ABS-CBN's film arm. Not to be missed are the cameo roles of matinee idols and the surprising twist in the movie, which is directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina, the same director of the popular A Very Special Love.

My Only U has been graded "B" by the Cinema Evaluation Board, allowing it ot receive a 50 percent tax rebate. It has also been rated General Patronage by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.

Last night, October 28, the premiere of this Star Cinema movie was held at SM Megamall with almost all cast members present at Cinema 10. PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) spotted Dennis Padilla (who played the father of Toni), Benjie Paras, Kitkat, Empoy Marquez, and Arlene Muhlach enter the jampacked cinema that was filled with fans of the lead stars and even of the female director!

A banner for Direk Cathy was put by her supporters and she received a big round of applause when she went in front of the theater before the start of the movie. "Mga kasama ko na sila AD [associate director] pa lang ako," she says gleefully about her fans.

Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos was also present during the screening last night. Alex Anselmuccio and Nicole Uysiuseng of Pinoy Big Brother Teen Edition Plus also attended to show their support for their fellow housemate Beauty Gonzalez, who was part of the movie.

After the screening, the stars held their cast party at Pasto restaurant at St. Francis Square where PEP had the chance to interview them about their film.

Shooting a movie like My Only U has instilled a different view on life for lead actress Toni Gonzaga. As Winona, she is subjected to emotional highs and lows as her character deals with the possibility of dying young—just like her relatives on the mother side.

"Mas na-broaden yung understanding ko on death. Mas lumawak ang pag-iisip ko tungkol sa death. Kung iisipin mo, it's very tragic but if you look at it at another side, nag-iba ang pananaw ko tungkol sa death," says Toni.

Throughout the movie, viewers will see how Winona transforms from being a negative person to someone full of hope about the future.

And the person who is instrumental in inspiring that change is her neighbor-landlord Bong (played by Vhong Navarro). He has always been fond of Winona but he could never muster the courage to express his true feelings. In fact, even when he is haunted by a ghost in this movie, he still wouldn't be direct to the point.

Adding the element of a restless spirit brings to mind the first movie of Toni and Vhong together titled D'Anothers (2005). "Nandun pa rin yung ghost pero tatanggapin mo, e. Kasi pwede namang mangyari na ganun [na nakakakita ka ng spirits]," explains Vhong.

Did the comedian have a hard time shifting to drama for My Only U?

"Actually, ang laking tulong ni Direk Cathy at mismo sa characters kasi meron kang paghuhugutan. Kung ikaw rin yung nasa kalagayan ni Bong, yung character ko, makaka-relate ka, e. Nakakaiyak kasi ang situation o yung mga pinagdaanan. Kung hindi dahil kay Direk Cathy, hindi ganun yung magiging resulta ng ng pag-arte ko ng seryoso."

THEIR ONLY LOVE. During the actual premiere night, the significant others of the lead stars did not watch the movie but they proceeded to the location of the cast party to show their support. Toni's boyfriend, director Paul Soriano, opted not to attend the screening so that the spotlight would be focused solely on Toni and Vhong. "Nandito siya para mag-comfort, hindi siya umaagaw sa spotlight," says Toni. "I'm very thankful na meron akong tao na nandiyan para hingaan ko ng sama ng loob, i-share ang success ko, saka sumuporta para sa akin. Siyempre, iba ang suporta na binibigay ng pamilya ang pagmamahal na ibibigay nila sa iyo at iba rin ng espesyal na tao sa buhay. I'm just really blessed to have someone na katulad niya na I can always depend on."

Shortly before midnight, Desiree del Valle also arrived at Pasto restaurant to show her support for her boyfriend. She said that she had just come from work and that she will watch the movie during its regular run. Vhong also said that he did not bring his sons Frederick and Isaiah since the young boys are not used to the jampacked crowds that are often present during premiere nights.


The romantic dramedy My Only U opens in theaters nationwide starting today, October 29, 2008.