Richard Gutierrez and Dingdong Dantes are both grateful to Star Cinema for giving them the opportunity to work together on the big screen.
The two actors are co-starring with Vice Ganda in the 2018 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Fantastica. They attended the blog conference for this fantasy-comedy movie held recently at the ABS-CBN compound.
When PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) reminded Dingdong and Richard about appearing together in the 2005 movie Mulawin, Richard said with a laugh, "Isang eksena lang po ang pinagsamahan namin. Puyat pa kami nun!
"Siyempre, kakaibang experience ito. Natatawa nga kami ni Dong kasi sa tagal ng pagsasama namin sa GMA, ngayon lang kami nakagawa ng full-length movie together and isang comedy-fantasy pa kasama si Vice.
"Talagang ang saya ng experience.
The former Kapuso actor then differentiated his experience working on GMA Films's Mulawin The Movie and this Star Cinema movie co-produced with Viva Films.
"Malayo ang experience namin sa Mulawin The Movie kasi serious naman yun and ito, something fresh for the both of us. Naging okay ang experience namin."
For his part, Dingdong also enjoyed working with Richard in this Star Cinema movie.
Did they have hesitations about accepting Fantastica?
"Not at all," said Dingdong.
"Isang bihirang opportunity in so many levels.
"First of all, yung crossover ko dito sa Star Cinema, para sa akin isa siyang pribilehiyo and I will make the most of it.
"Pangalawa, kami ni Vice ngayon lang kami magsasama and it is such a privilege to be part of whatever she creates.
"At lalong-lalo na si Richard...
"After so many years of being with GMA, dito pa kami magsasama sa isang tema na pelikula na hindi namin normal na ginagawa.
"Ang daming dahilan kung bakit dapat magpasalamat sa oportunidad na ito."
Richard agreed with him by saying:
"Ako the same, no hesitation at all. Gaya nga ng sinabi ni Dong, bihira ang ganitong opportunity na maisama sa isang pelikula ni Vice na pam-Pasko at magpapasaya sa mga maraming tao ngayong Pasko.
"As an actor, it's a rare opportunity to do a comedy. Bago nga itong experience for us and as actors, we want to push our limits, push our boundaries and it's an opportunity for growth."
ON WORKING WITH YOUNG STARS
Three ABS-CBN love teams are featured in this MMFF 2018 entry. They are the tandems of LoiNie (Loisa Andalio and Ronnie Alonte), MayWard (Maymay Entrata and Edward Barber), and DonKiss (Kisses Delavin and Donny Pangilinan).
How was it like working with these young love teams?
Richard answered, "Ang masasabi ko sa tatlong love teams na kasama namin sa pelikula, sobrang bait nila at sobrang humble nila.
"Marami kasi na...hindi na ko magbabanggit kung sino, marami kasing young stars, if they become famous, fast and easy, it gets to their heads.
"Pero itong love teams na ito, talagang very humble sila, respectful, at ang bait, masarap kausap, at madaling katrabaho."
Dingdong, who used to appear in youth-oriented shows, recalled:
"While working with them, naaalala ko ang ginawa ko nung ka-edad ko sila, lalo na kasi same circumstances: pareho kaming nasa industry, may love team rin.
"More than them learning from us, we also learn from them. Nagbibigay sila ng bagong pananaw na, 'hey, relax lang. Huwag kayo masyadong serious.
"Kumbaga, mutual yung nakukuha namin sa isa't isa. Nakaka-aliw silang panoorin. We are also inspired by how they see life and how they interact with each other."