Dawn Zulueta runs up the hill to the arms of a man. She rides the bike with him on the streets of Batanes. She passionately hugs him at the lighthouse.
These are scenes from Dawn's new pH Care commercial—scenes, some say, that are reminiscent of her hit movie with Richard Gomez, Hihintayin Kita sa Langit. The movie was also filmed in the same location.
"Parang similar siya, 'no? I guess you know, ‘yong theme ng commercial... some of the shots we've taken are very romantic," says pH Care's newest endorser.
The product's executives explain that the association with the film was unintentional, but at the same time, serendipitous. They say that their goal was to shoot a love story and that Batanes is one of the most romantic places in the country.
Dawn confesses that the shoot brought back a lot of memories.
She says, "Not much has changed. The only thing that has really changed is it's more convenient for travelers, like now they have hostels. Unlike before, about 15 years ago, wala pa masyado pero ngayon meron na.
"It [the shoot] was very melancholic because every street corner na pinuntahan namin, while we were hanging around the island in Batanes, really had so many fond memories. Especially the people, hindi sila nagbago, e. Ganoon pa rin sila. They're a quiet town.
"We traveled all around. When you go to the areas na napaka-romantic, Moorish ang itsura niya, naaalala ko talaga noong nagsu-shooting kami doon ng Hihintayin Kita sa Langit. Nami-miss ko talaga sina Tita Armida [Siguion-Reyna], sina Direk Carlitos... Nami-miss ko talaga ‘yong mga katrabaho ko noon."
And what about her co-star and ex-boyfriend Richard Gomez?
"Of course, it reminded me also of my co-star! Doon nagsimula ang lahat!" she giggles.