Jomari Yllana plays the lover of Ina Feleo's character in the family drama Ikaw ang Pag-ibig.
Originally titled Peñafrancia, this movie is considered to be the comeback film of Direk Marilou Diaz-Abaya who took a break from directing after being diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.
The January 10 screening of Ikaw ang Pag-ibig was supported by presidential sisters Ballsy Aquino-Cruz and Viel Aquino-Dee.
The Dolphy Theater in ABS-CBN was filled with members of the clergy, led by the Archbishop of Caceres, Most Rev. Leonardo Legaspi.
National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and National Artist for Film Eddie Romero were also guests of honor during the event.
Aside from Jomari and Ina, the other stars of the movie present last Monday night were Marvin Agustin and child actor Yogo Singh.
Guests included director Laurice Guillen and her daughter Ana Feleo (sister of Ina), Rap Fernandez, as well as siblings Bodie and Djanin Cruz.
Rocker-turned-actor Marc Abaya also took the time to attend the red-carpet event to show his support for his mother, Direk Marilou.
Produced by the Archidocese of Caceres and the Marilou Diaz-Abaya Film Institute and Arts Center, Ikaw ang Pag-ibig is graded "A" by the Cinema Evaluation Board. It is also endorsed by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines.
Star Cinema is the distributor of this movie, which will open in cinemas starting February 23, 2011. It will be shown in various schools and universities starting February 9.
Ikaw ang Pag-ibig was first offered to celebrity couple Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos. However, Direk Marilou decided to tap Jomari and Ina as the lead stars of the film when Juday got pregnant.
When asked how he felt about being the final choice for the role, Jomari pointed out, "Parang isang umaga, nagising ka at may in-offer sa 'yo na project na hindi mo mahindian. Sa 'kin, para siyang task na hinarap at sa iyo. Hindi puwedeng kalahati lang ang gagawin mo, dapat wholeheartedly. Dapat complete devotion."
CONTINUING THE LEGACY. In her speech before the screening of the film, Direk Marilou introduced Jomari by saying, "Jomari comes from a five-generation family of priests and clergy. His great-great grandmother, Tiya Maria, was the only one allowed to dress up the Virgin. His uncle is a friend of mine, he is the papal nuncio formerly of Pakistan and now of the Congo. Jomari is still secular till now."
Jomari revealed to PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) that as a young man, he has experienced taking part in the Peñafrancia festival, which is celebrated on the third Saturday of September in Naga City.
"First time ko makapunta sa festival when I was in my mid-twenties. Sumasama ako as procession as a spectator," he said.
