By Erin Chew
It has been an interesting trend to see the rapid releases of a number of romance films and television series coming out of the Philippines. Just in December, 2024, Hello, Love, Again starring Kathryn Bernardo (Hello, Love, Goodbye, A Very Good Girl) and Alden Richards (Hello, Love, Goodbye, Five Breakups and a Romance) became the highest grossing Filipino film of all time.
Will Filipino romcom My Love Will Make You Disappear which is being released Friday, March 28 follow this trend? This question was posed to Filipino actress and singer Kim Chiu (What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, Always) who plays Sari in the film.
“I feel we shouldn’t think that way. Of course, we would love to break viewing records and have everyone enjoy the film – laugh, cry and sigh etcetera, but if we think this way it would place pressure on us as actors, and everyone else working on the film,” Chiu stated in a recent interview with AsAmNews.
The focal premise of this film is about being cursed and this is what makes this film unique and interesting. Every man Sari falls in love with vanishes. Enter Jolo, played by Paulo Avelino ( What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim, Heneral Luna), a brooding landlord grappling with a failing apartment complex. Their paths cross as they fight to save a community from displacement, but Sari’s supposed curse threatens their budding romance.
“It is not only the guys she falls in love with who disappear but she also fears this curse will extend to the love she has for her mom. I really had to put everything I had to play the best Sari possible,” she said.
Despite My Love Will Make You Disappear being a romcom, it does reflect a social and human issue about what love does to people.
“The funny part of the film is the antics Sari and Jolo go through due to this supposed curse. It is like a comedy about the trials and tribulations of love. But, if you really think deeply about this, isn’t the general idea of falling in love some sort of curse? When we fall in love with someone, we are at various levels of immersing ourselves to that person and that really is some sort of magic as well as a curse”, Avelino expressed.
To Avelino, love in life can be a curse and/or a blessing. When a person falls in love with another, they are mesmerized, consumed and can only think about that person. When a person loves their family and/or friends they would generally do anything for them regardless of the consequences.
My Love Will Make You Disappear isn’t the first collaboration rodeo for Chiu and Avelino. Both have starred alongside each other in two Filipino television series: What’s Wrong With Secretary Kim and Linlang. However, this is their first feature film together.
Over the past decade, Filipino film and television has really made it mark domestically and internationally. This is a reflection of how Asian and more specifically Southeast Asian films are taking off, achieving more representation, visibility and variety for global audiences to enjoy.
“I think with all the hate that we see around the world, we always forget about being happy, laughter and kindness. I feel the Filipino film and television industry aims to achieve this and I hope with movies like ours, will remind audiences about the beauty of love, spread kindness and enjoy life – even if it is for 45 minutes, an hour or more”.
For Avelino, being Filipino is all about being a survivor that thrives. The industry is also like this having suffered major slumps during the pandemic and now making it mark at home and globally. Films like this one which has a unique twist showcases what the Filipino entertainment industry is capable of on the journey and road to success.
“It really was a challenge for film producers and those of us who live and love our acting craft. Now, we see a thriving industry which is ready to take on the world, and this is the resilience of Filipinos and it is reflected in our film and television industry. I hope all audiences will enjoy the film”, Avelino passionately discussed.
AsAmNews is published by the non-profit, Asian American Media Inc.
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“I hope when audiences all over the world watch our film, they can feel this and maybe reflect on how it impacts on their own lives and all the love(s) in their life”.