WATCH: Janella Salvador & Richard Juan on PEP Live!

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"Under Parallel Skies" female lead star Janella Salvador joins us with her co-star and producer Richard Juan for tonight's episode of PEP Live!  #janellasalvador #richardjuan #underparallelskies  Host: Nikko Tuazon Videographers: Micah Moleno, Khym Manalo, & Rommel Llanes Video Editor & Live Stream Operator: Rommel Llanes  Watch our past PEP Live interviews here: https://bit.ly/PEPLIVEplaylist  Subscribe to our YouTube channel! https://www.youtube.com/@pep_tv  Know the latest in showbiz at http://www.pep.ph  Follow us!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pepalerts/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PEPalerts  Twitter: https://twitter.com/pepalerts  Visit our DailyMotion channel! https://www.dailymotion.com/PEPalerts  Join us on Viber: https://bit.ly/PEPonViber

Transcript

00:00 (upbeat music)

00:02 (upbeat music)

00:05 (upbeat music)

00:07 (upbeat music)

00:35 - Hi, PEPsters. Welcome to PEPlive.

00:37 My name is Niko, your host for today's episode.

00:40 And I'm very excited

00:41 because we have a comeback on our PEPlive today.

00:43 Please welcome, under Parallel Sky,

00:45 star and producer, Janelle Salvador and Richard Juan.

00:49 (crowd cheering)

00:52 - I got nervous all of a sudden.

00:54 Not earlier.

00:54 - Why?

00:56 - We're live now.

00:57 - I know, right?

00:57 Okay, so how are you guys?

01:00 Welcome to PEPlive.

01:01 - Thanks for having us.

01:03 - Yeah, we're good.

01:04 It's been a while, five years since we had you here.

01:07 2019 was the last.

01:09 - Was that the Aries?

01:09 - The Aries.

01:11 - Wait, 2019 is five years ago already?

01:13 - Yes, it's been 24 years.

01:15 - Oh my God.

01:16 (laughs)

01:17 Time flies.

01:17 - It's fast, right?

01:19 - Right?

01:20 - We were just babies before,

01:21 and now we're getting old.

01:22 - Oh, we're still babies.

01:24 We're still babies.

01:26 - And so, let's start the interview

01:28 with icebreaker questions.

01:30 We call them "Ako yun, hindi ako yun."

01:33 (upbeat music)

01:35 First statement, "Mahilig matulog sa set."

01:41 - Hindi ako yan.

01:43 - Dati ako yan, dati.

01:46 - Ah, inferior.

01:47 - Pero ako ngayon, hindi na pwede.

01:49 - Ay, baka bawal na?

01:50 - No, well, I mean, as a producer,

01:51 I can't be sleeping on the set, 'di ba?

01:53 - Ah, true.

01:54 Pero as an artista, as in,

01:55 kahit downtime na hindi kayo natutulog.

01:57 - Dati, natutulog ako,

01:58 tapos na-realize ko,

02:00 ang hirap kong gisingin.

02:02 So, minsan nahihirapan silang gisingin ako.

02:04 So, ngayon, di na ako natutulog

02:05 para dire-direcho kami.

02:08 - "Laging may pagkain sa set."

02:10 - Ah, kaya.

02:13 (laughs)

02:15 - True, bakit magutaw?

02:16 - Yes.

02:17 - Ako, balik to.

02:18 Ako hindi, kasi like, when I'm working,

02:19 I never eat for some reason.

02:21 - What? - Hindi ko nagugutom, ever.

02:23 - Hindi ka nagugutom?

02:24 - Oo, as in, when I'm working,

02:26 parang like, after shooting na,

02:27 that's when I, "Oh my God,

02:28 gutom na gutom na ako,

02:29 kaya na ako," parang gano'n.

02:31 Hindi ko kaya yun.

02:32 - Yeah.

02:33 - Mahirap, dapat kumakain ka.

02:34 - Kaya nga, pwede ko siya.

02:35 - Bigyan mo dalela.

02:36 (laughs)

02:37 - Share naman.

02:38 - Okay, next.

02:39 "Laging bangka kapag nagchitsikahan sa taping."

02:42 - What's bangka?

02:44 - I mean, "Laging may kwento."

02:46 - Ah, okay.

02:47 Hindi ako yun, kasi ako yung nakikinig.

02:53 Ako na lang yung nakakasagap ng mga chismes,

02:56 pero hindi lumalabas sa'kin.

02:57 - Same.

02:59 - Akala ko na kwentohan, tapos parang,

03:01 minsan hindi ko na-observe, nakakalimutan ko pa.

03:04 (laughs)

03:04 - Ganun na lang.

03:05 - Actually, ganun na lang ako.

03:06 Nalilimutan yung mga chika about yung mga chismes,

03:08 whatever.

03:09 - Parang, "Bakit ba ako nagtrabaho dito?"

03:11 (laughs)

03:12 - Oo nga, no.

03:12 - Okay, next.

03:15 "Sino ang mas generous?"

03:17 - Sino ang mas generous?

03:19 - Or, "Very generous and general?"

03:24 - Ah, depende to what level.

03:27 I mean, sa food siguro, ano.

03:30 - That's good.

03:31 - Oo, tsaka sa--

03:32 - I like comments.

03:33 - Ako, I'm generous din sa food.

03:34 - Oo.

03:35 - Mahilig ako mang libre ng food.

03:37 - Mm-hmm.

03:38 Generous and general, I think, yeah.

03:41 I think we're generous together.

03:42 - Parang masayang tropa 'tong dalawa,

03:43 nilimutin ang pagka-aki.

03:45 (laughs)

03:46 - And last, "Madalas makalimot ng lines."

03:50 - Makalimot ng lines?

03:52 I think hindi, ako yun.

03:58 Magaling ako mag-memorize,

04:00 pero under pressure, dun lang ako nakalimot ng lines.

04:04 - Yeah, usually naman, pag under pressure naman,

04:06 that's when you forget the lines.

04:07 I remember when I was doing a lot of hosting dati,

04:11 tapos I remember,

04:13 there were a couple of lines sa mga,

04:15 parang like, when all the spotlight's on you

04:17 and you can't say the right lines,

04:19 - You get rattled.

04:20 - Lalo ka na, 'no, 'di ba?

04:21 Lalo ka na narattle, eh.

04:22 Lalo ka hindi mo masabi,

04:23 kaya that calm down, and then, dun mo, mano.

04:26 - Pero introvert problems din.

04:28 - Mmm.

04:29 Pero kaya natin yan, parang ako nag-host ako ngayon.

04:32 - Hindi ka yata introvert, eh.

04:34 - Uy, grabe, yung ko lang 'to.

04:36 - I'm there for it.

04:37 - Okay, dahil diyan,

04:38 tapos na lang ating icebreaker questions.

04:41 Punta na tayo sa main topic natin

04:43 ng Under Parallels, guys.

04:45 So, for Janella,

04:48 can you tell us about the movie?

04:50 Or, parang mas bagay kay Richard to ask the police, sir.

04:52 - Parang dapat.

04:53 - Ahh, wow.

04:56 Pa, ang dami ko pwede sabihin.

04:57 Anong bang gusto mo malamiin?

04:58 - Yung wala masyadong spoiler.

04:59 Para, syempre, panoorin nila.

05:01 - As about the story, ano yung kwento, basically?

05:03 - Yes, ano yung kwento.

05:04 - Well, I mean, the line that we always use,

05:06 it's basically a story about a Thai bachelor

05:09 that moved to, I don't wanna say moved,

05:10 went to Hong Kong to look for his mother.

05:14 Tapos, dun sa Hong Kong, that's when he met

05:18 a hotel receptionist, where they had a

05:23 interesting relationship, na back and forth,

05:25 back and forth, and then eventually,

05:26 they somehow fell in love, and then,

05:29 yun lang muna, yun lang muna.

05:32 The short version of the story, basically, ganun.

05:34 - And the hotel receptionist is Jandela.

05:37 - Ay, hindi, ako.

05:38 - Ay, so, hindi siya?

05:40 - Sorry, hindi ako tayong parang binawala siya.

05:43 - Actually, may role din siya sa movie.

05:45 - Ah, may role din.

05:46 Okay, ang parang--

05:47 - Dalawang eksena lang naman, just for fun.

05:50 - Pero si Jandela, your character,

05:52 what can you tell us about Irish?

05:54 - It's actually Iris.

05:55 - Iris. - Yes.

05:56 So, Iris is an OFW, dun siya nagtatrabaho sa Hong Kong

06:01 as a hotel receptionist, and ano siya,

06:06 I will say she's a very ordinary citizen,

06:08 with big dreams, and she also has her own issues

06:13 from back home, na tinatrayan niya ding iresolve.

06:16 She just really tries to get by every day.

06:18 So, I think maraming OFW na makakarelate

06:21 sa mga struggles ni Iris, and yeah,

06:25 eventually, magiging guest nga niya si Paren,

06:29 which is played by Wynn, and ayun na,

06:31 dun na magsastart yung relationship nila.

06:34 - In fairness, dun sa mga nakita kong clips,

06:36 yung isa tinura mo pa ng bad word si--

06:38 (laughs)

06:39 - Yan yung bonding nila, yan yung bonding nila.

06:42 - Marami siya natutunan sa akin.

06:44 - Oh my gosh, so bukod sa PI, meron pang iba?

06:48 - Medyo.

06:48 (laughs)

06:49 - Natutunan nila ha?

06:51 Safe kasi.

06:52 - Yan yung best bonding moment nila siguro.

06:55 - Pero ikaw, ba meron po rin yung bad word na Thai?

06:58 - Actually, may tinuru siya sa akin,

07:00 pero nakalimutan ko na.

07:01 - Ayan, same problem.

07:02 - Medyo, medyo my memory is not giving.

07:06 - Pero yung ano, yung natanda mo yung masarap sa Thai?

07:09 - Oh, masarap is aloy mak.

07:11 - Aloy mak.

07:12 - Aloy mak.

07:13 - Sa mga Pepsters, I'm sure bakit alam nila,

07:15 ay, I'm sure alam nila bakit alam ni Iris yung masarap.

07:18 (laughs)

07:20 - Isa pa yun, nasa trailer din yun, e.

07:22 - Yes.

07:23 - Ayan, so panoorin yun guys.

07:25 Hindi ba nagutos, decision?

07:27 (laughs)

07:28 So next question.

07:29 So for Richard, syempre this is your first time producing.

07:32 Paano, bakit ka naghunta dun sa path na yan?

07:37 - Oh my God, sobrang habang kwento 'to,

07:39 but I think this is something that I knew

07:42 I was eventually gonna get into naman talaga.

07:44 Pero hindi ko lang na-expect na gilang kabilis

07:47 or gilang kaaga.

07:48 It all happened 'cause fast track lang dahil sa pandemic,

07:51 where during the pandemic,

07:53 parang nawala yung part of my life,

07:56 a big part of my life, which is traveling.

07:59 A lot of my content online before

08:01 was about traveling to different places,

08:03 meeting new people, doing press junkets, mga ganun.

08:06 Eh, lahat niyan biglang nawala, eh.

08:07 So parang there's something missing in my life

08:10 that I decided to kind of find, do something.

08:13 And I'm very lucky there were opportunities.

08:16 There were some clients who wanted to do online events

08:18 and ganun, and I have people that were able to

08:21 help us with that.

08:22 So that's how the whole company started.

08:24 And in the next two, three years,

08:27 we were able to have different projects, different clients.

08:29 We did a documentary, we did lifestyle shows.

08:31 So parang ano ba yung next step para sa company?

08:33 Ganun na-inisip namin in the team.

08:36 So we eventually decided to explore film, yeah, filmmaking.

08:40 And yeah, that's pretty much how everything started.

08:43 It's really more of like, we wanted to try new things.

08:46 Kasi naggawa na namin sobrang daming lifestyle shows

08:48 to documentaries.

08:50 Ano ba next?

08:51 Parang film yung next nakita namin.

08:53 - Doon na nga, ito na nasa Under Parallel Skies na tayo.

08:56 And for Janela naman,

08:57 paano mo na, how did you landed the role?

09:01 Parang did you audition?

09:03 Or were you-- - I'm just joking.

09:05 - Nahantin ko siya, "Sige, Richard, ikaw sumagot."

09:08 - You can share naman from what you--

09:09 - Well, okay, from my, sorry, matap ko yung mic.

09:12 From my perspective, parang,

09:15 paano nga ba nag-start?

09:17 Sinabihan ako, my handlers told me about

09:21 a potential international project

09:24 na ipipitch daw sa akin.

09:26 And at first I didn't know it was gonna be with Wynn.

09:28 Sabi lang, "Ipipitch muna yung story."

09:30 Ganyan-ganyan.

09:31 So I said, "Yeah, game, of course!"

09:33 So nung napakingan ko yung story,

09:35 they actually pitched two stories.

09:38 And they were both equally super nice.

09:40 So isa sa mga stories na yun yung Under Parallels, guys.

09:44 And sabi ko, parang pinapapili nila ko

09:47 alin yung story na gusto ko.

09:48 Honestly, nagandahan ako sa parehong story.

09:51 So if I had to do any of them, happy ako.

09:54 So, yeah, that's how it started.

09:56 And then they told me I was gonna work with Wynn.

09:59 I got even more excited, syempre,

10:02 kasi kilala talaga si Wynn dito sa Philippines.

10:06 Because of his series nung pandemic.

10:09 Yeah.

10:10 So I did research din about Wynn after that.

10:13 Kasi yun lang yung alam ko about him nung time na yun.

10:15 So, na-excited ako for the project.

10:17 Pero kayo ba before the project, magkakilala na rin kayo?

10:21 Not formally introduced.

10:26 Pero I knew of him.

10:27 We would see each other din sa events.

10:30 You mean us, right?

10:31 Yeah, us.

10:32 Bakal sa sinasabi mo si Wynn rano eh.

10:36 But yeah, we knew each other from events.

10:39 I mean, of course, syempre, we've both been in the industry for some time na rin.

10:43 10 years na rin both tayo.

10:45 So we see each other here and there.

10:46 We have common friends.

10:47 Kaya, yeah, mga ganun.

10:50 But on my end naman, the perspective of as a producer,

10:53 honestly, when we started the idea of doing this project,

10:57 we were thinking of who are the options out there talaga.

11:00 We laid out a couple of names.

11:02 And then, Janella is definitely one of the top picks that we had talaga.

11:06 For various reasons.

11:08 One crucial reason was, of course, her experience when it comes to acting.

11:12 Very versatile.

11:14 And, of course, lalo na kasi our film is a bit heavy.

11:19 Parts of it is heavy.

11:21 And we've heard all good stuff from different people na parang,

11:23 like, kaya ni Janella to carry these types of scenes.

11:26 So, definitely one of the reasons for that.

11:29 And, siyempre, she's also fresh out of Darna din.

11:32 Played such a crucial role in Darna.

11:36 And I think during that time, we felt like that's her natural next step also.

11:41 'Cause in the company and the projects that we like to do,

11:43 we like to work with people who are on the verge of something great.

11:46 And we want to take them higher.

11:48 So that's how we thought of Janella.

11:51 And, of course, we also shared this with Winstein.

11:54 We showed them a couple of options that we believe for our top.

11:59 Actually, I think we presented three or four, three to them.

12:02 And they also agreed that Janella would be a good pair then for this film.

12:06 So, yeah, that's how everything started.

12:08 Bonga. In fairness.

12:10 Ang haba pala ng nagganaganap na Excel.

12:13 Ano ka na ba 'to? Early 2023 pa yata 'to.

12:17 Ganang kahaba.

12:19 Was it 2022?

12:20 No, 2023.

12:21 2023. Early 2023.

12:24 And after a year, mapapanoodan namin sa cinehan this April.

12:27 Yeah!

12:28 Para bagong namin 'to.

12:29 Syempre, you mentioned you were drawn to the story of Iris.

12:33 So, bakit, was there a specific reason for it?

12:36 Her character?

12:38 I think it's more of kasi mahilig akong,

12:43 I like to step out of my comfort zone din with the roles that I take.

12:47 And Iris is someone na hindi ko pa napaportray dati.

12:50 Never pa ako nagkaroon ng role na OFW sa ibang bansa.

12:56 Never pa ako nagkaroon ng movie na she's nude sa ibang bansa.

12:59 So, it's something that I've never experienced before.

13:02 So, na-challenge din ako.

13:04 Ayun. Speaking of challenge,

13:06 bilang na-mention nga yun, ya Richard, na medyo maraming heavy scenes.

13:10 Meron bang specific scene na pwede mong ishare na medyo,

13:13 "Ay, hirap 'to."

13:18 Madami.

13:20 Medyo madami.

13:22 Madami kasing pinagdadaanan si Iris sa movie.

13:26 Emotionally.

13:29 Siguro, ano, siguro can share na lang which part of the film,

13:32 or which portion, para abangan nila yan na lang.

13:34 Para walang spoiler na.

13:36 Parang napanood yun na ba yung buong movie?

13:38 Yeah. Sa Hong Kong.

13:40 Ayan. Kamusta yung reactions?

13:42 Alam ko na-excite ako.

13:44 We're actually, to be honest, me as a producer,

13:47 we were thinking about do we really want to have Hong Kong as our premiere.

13:51 The reason for that is, syempre, Hong Kong market, Hong Kong audience,

13:55 have a different perspective on a different taste.

13:58 And we're very lucky, we're very happy

14:01 that there were so many positive response from the audience.

14:05 We were showing some clips online, kasi na-video din kami,

14:08 asking for their opinions. And dami na kasabi na parang,

14:10 this is something that they don't expect.

14:12 They were very happy with the output, they were happy with the story.

14:15 They think the two leads have great chemistry.

14:19 So, we're very positive, very happy about it.

14:22 Kung happy sa Hong Kong, I'm sure happy din dila sa Philippines.

14:25 Especially because this film was really made for Southeast Asia more than anything else.

14:29 For Janelle, may pressure ka bang naramdaman?

14:33 Since you mentioned na dami mong first din for this project.

14:36 First international, flying out of the country, mga ganyang experience.

14:42 Na-pressure ka ba?

14:44 Oh, syempre, yeah. There is a bit of pressure.

14:46 Actually, every time naman gagawa ng movie as an actor,

14:50 parang laging may pressure.

14:51 Kasi medyo nakaka-pressure talaga ang mga cinematic releases.

14:55 Especially nowadays, kasi parang hindi naman nagt-thrive pa ang cinema ulit.

15:01 Medyo may pressure, but mas nananayig yung excitement ko for the film.

15:07 'Cause I really believe in the material.

15:09 Maganda nung storya.

15:11 Magaling ni direct Sigrid.

15:13 Maganda yung location namin.

15:15 And I think Nguyen and I really gave our best.

15:17 So, I believe.

15:19 Eto, curious question.

15:21 Since you mentioned na nag-research ka ni Nguyen before meeting him,

15:24 ano yung first impression mo sa kanya?

15:27 Nakita mo na siya?

15:28 Sa Thailand dun, 'no?

15:30 Thailand yung workshop.

15:33 Before kami nag-workshop sa Thailand, dun ako nag-research.

15:36 Siguro, mukha siyang ano, akala ko Korean siya.

15:42 Mukha siyang baby.

15:44 Baby na ano.

15:45 For the ugly young person.

15:47 Baby, sabi niya.

15:48 Mukha siyang tahimik.

15:51 Feeling ko, nung time na yun, parang, "Oh, he looks quiet."

15:55 "Magkakasundu kaya kami?"

15:56 Kasi quiet din ako.

15:58 Hindi pala.

16:00 Okay naman kami, nagkasundu kami eventually.

16:02 Kasi, totoo pala, medyo quiet din siya.

16:05 Ah, okay.

16:06 Baka dahil feeling ko, English.

16:09 Yeah, I think he's conscious pa sa English niya.

16:12 Kaya hindi siya masyadong tsumechika.

16:14 But he speaks well.

16:16 Medyo conscious nga lang.

16:18 Hello, for the, suggest offer, for the ambad.

16:22 Last few questions.

16:24 Ano yung gusto niyang ma-feel ng viewers after watching the film?

16:28 Or lesson na gusto niyang matutunan nila?

16:31 Ayaw ko mag-spoil.

16:37 I guess for me on my end as a producer, of course,

16:40 we went through the whole process of the exegrid.

16:42 From writing to, you know, we did Reiki first.

16:45 Tapos nang-write ng script, the details and all that.

16:48 I think the biggest takeaway that, you know, to avoid spoilers,

16:53 sometimes in life, there are just a lot of unexpected people that you meet.

16:58 And sometimes these people that you meet out of nowhere

17:01 are the ones that leave the biggest impact in your life.

17:04 So I think that's what we want to let people feel.

17:07 Na parang like, every people that you meet along the way,

17:11 you know, in life in general,

17:13 sometimes you just don't expect this sudden spark.

17:17 Let it be relationships between two na parang maging mag-dowar

17:21 or even just friendship.

17:23 There are so many things that can happen.

17:25 And ultimately, you know, just because, I mean, of course, Iris and Byron,

17:28 they're from two different countries, two different worlds.

17:31 That's why the fact that they met, they fell in love,

17:35 is something that's unexpected.

17:37 So that's why I guess to a certain extent, you know,

17:39 expect the unexpected also. Pwede din ganun din.

17:41 So pwede tayo ng Hong Kong para magka-dowa tayo?

17:43 Ay, pwede din! Madami din!

17:45 Kasi Hong Kong's a melting pot of cultures.

17:47 So baka gusto mo ng ibang culture, pwede din.

17:50 Tara na, mag-iskey lan tayo.

17:52 So we're last kay Richard.

17:57 So after Under Parallel Skies, mayroon na bang next plans?

18:02 Syempre ang aga pa para mag-sigaan 'to, pero may naiisip ka na ba?

18:07 We're working on a couple of scripts actually already.

18:09 Of course, you know, Janelle also mentioned kanina,

18:11 there were two stories that were pitched.

18:13 So the other one is something that I personally really, really like also.

18:16 Kaya we're also exploring that.

18:18 But we also have a sci-fi-ish na story that's in advanced development

18:23 where we have got a couple of investors in already.

18:26 Hopefully, it's something that we could do across country also

18:31 because that's what we really want to do as Acuna & Squared Studios.

18:33 We want to create stories that are not just for the Philippines,

18:36 not just for the region, ideally even for the world.

18:39 Just like what Warner said, Sir Rico, during our press conference,

18:43 he wants to be able to see a film from the Philippines with an Oscar.

18:50 So that's something that of course, the fantasy, the dream that we have.

18:53 And I'm sure Janelle also feels that way.

18:56 She wants to be part of a film that wins Philippines an Oscar or something like that.

19:01 Kaya natin yan. Meron tayong talent.

19:04 Speaking of that, ano yung general?

19:07 Ang dami yung follow-up.

19:09 General, parang thoughts nyo about the audience being more demanding

19:15 sa kung anong gusto nilang mapanood or parang mas nag-iisip na ata sila ngayon.

19:19 Ano yung feeling nyo about it?

19:24 Ako, I actually like that the viewers nowadays are smarter.

19:28 But it could be, I think it's pushing us, our industry here in the Philippines, to do better.

19:36 Hindi pwede yung basta-basta ka maglalabas ng film na pwede na yan.

19:41 Ma-appreciate na nila yan.

19:43 It's challenging us and pushing us to not settle for...

19:48 Amen.

19:49 What's the right term? Not settle for...

19:52 Mediocrity.

19:53 Mediocrity.

19:54 And to really strive for greatness.

19:57 I think we have the talent.

19:59 I think kulang lang tayo minsan sa resources, sa budget, funding, yung mga ganung bagay.

20:06 Pero the talent is there.

20:08 Yeah, echo to what another... copy-paste na 'tin kung sa guna be.

20:13 But honestly, me as a producer, that's why I decided to venture into film.

20:17 Because I feel like I have something to contribute to...

20:20 Although this is my first film, but I believe we're able to create things that we did not expect.

20:27 People did not expect us to be at the Asian Film Awards.

20:30 They did not expect us to be doing our premiere in Hong Kong.

20:32 They didn't expect us to get a win for this project.

20:34 And I think at the end of the day, it's all about trying also.

20:39 I hope we were able to inspire the next generation of filmmakers that,

20:43 "Hey, you were young. We dare to try. We dare to bet on ourselves."

20:48 We're betting on ourselves here, of course.

20:50 And at the end of the day, if this does well, it's great for everyone.

20:54 And I think that this is something that we really want to imprint to the Philippine audience also.

20:58 This is a project not only for us, the producers, but also for the Philippines.

21:05 Because I feel like this would take a big step on a bigger scale, especially to the region.

21:09 We have Win here. We're very, very lucky to have him.

21:13 Our premiere in Hong Kong, we were surprised that the hall was full.

21:18 Yes, even the updates were full.

21:20 It was so grand!

21:21 Exactly. We're taking Philippine cinema to another level alongside with Win.

21:26 I'm forever grateful for my two leads also, for Jenna and for Win,

21:31 for believing in the vision that we have in order to make this project happen.

21:35 And of course, at the same time, we have Warner Brothers on board.

21:38 But the first Filipino romance film distributed by Warner, that's also a huge privilege.

21:45 So ultimately, I don't even know what your question is anymore. I'm just rambling here.

21:49 But honestly, this whole experience has been crazy.

21:55 There are so many things that aligned, stars just aligned.

22:00 And there's a Chinese term for it that we call "Tinsi Taylayanmo,"

22:04 which just means everything from the sky and also from the people and also in the land,

22:12 everything is aligned properly for this project to happen.

22:15 And also, of course, for our viewers to invest in the Filipino films.

22:20 Watch it so you can have the next project.

22:23 Correct. It's a project that's for Philippine cinema to take things to the next level.

22:28 We need your support.

22:29 Always.

22:30 Watch Under Parallels, guys.

22:33 10 times.

22:34 This is the next part of our interview, the Pep Challenge.

22:40 [music]

22:49 Yay!

22:50 What is Pep Challenge?

22:51 We didn't brief this part.

22:53 This is what we call a social media raid.

22:55 We'll just flash photos on screen.

22:57 And you'll just give a little bit of a talk about it.

23:00 Oh!

23:02 Oh!

23:03 Oh!

23:04 There's more!

23:05 I really chose this one, Summer.

23:08 I didn't know you had a talent for this.

23:10 I chose this one because it's Summer.

23:12 True.

23:13 Okay, so just a little bit of a talk about this.

23:15 Yes.

23:16 So this was actually...

23:19 I'm not sure if Jude was already one year old here or if he's not yet one year old.

23:24 So basically, that's like my postpartum body.

23:27 And I felt...

23:28 It was one of the first times I felt good about myself again

23:31 because I didn't recognize myself after giving birth.

23:36 And so when I took this photo, I was feeling myself again.

23:41 And I was embracing the curves and all.

23:44 This was a few weeks before you came back?

23:47 Yes, yeah.

23:49 That year.

23:50 But since it's Women's Month, how do you feel about women having that pressure to always look good?

23:59 There's that, right?

24:01 I think in this day and age, the types of beauty are really different.

24:09 We should stop forcing women or pressuring women to look a certain way just to be called beautiful,

24:15 just to feel beautiful.

24:16 I think there are many different types of beauty.

24:19 You can be morena and beautiful.

24:21 You can be white and beautiful.

24:22 You can be skinny.

24:24 You could be curvy.

24:25 You could be curly.

24:26 You could be whatever.

24:27 There are so many...

24:29 You can be called beautiful in your own way.

24:31 So I think it's all about confidence.

24:33 We should stop pressuring women to be skinny because we all have different body types.

24:38 Sorry, I'm so passionate about this.

24:40 Because as a teen, I was very skinny.

24:44 And then my body just grew into this...

24:48 I'm more of curvy right now.

24:50 Maybe not.

24:51 No, I'm not the type of person who has a big body.

24:56 When I entered the industry, I was a bit naive.

25:02 So I was pressuring people to look skinny.

25:10 I just gained a little weight.

25:13 They would say, "You're ugly. You should lose some weight."

25:17 But honestly, in some of those moments, I was a bit more chubby.

25:21 I feel beautiful.

25:23 And I think that's what's important.

25:25 You feel beautiful, then it shows.

25:28 That's it.

25:29 Own it.

25:31 Own it.

25:32 Okay, next.

25:33 Next one.

25:34 Let's go.

25:35 You're not there yet.

25:37 Well, this one...

25:41 As you guys can see, I was 23.

25:44 This was in my brother's house.

25:46 And I think this was really...

25:49 Being in my brother's house was one hell of an experience.

25:53 It was something that I will never, ever forget in my life.

25:58 Because it was the time where I feel like...

26:02 I knew that this was going to be the step towards a new career,

26:07 in a certain extent.

26:09 A career that I never expected myself to get into.

26:12 And I don't know if you guys know, but growing up,

26:15 I was kind of a shy kid.

26:17 I was never supposed to be in showbiz.

26:19 I hated music.

26:20 I hated art.

26:21 That kind of stuff.

26:22 I used to be that kind of guy.

26:24 But being in my brother's house, it really completely changed my life.

26:27 And I will always forever, forever be grateful to be a housemate in my brother's house.

26:33 And I was lucky, of course, after a couple of years,

26:36 I became a host for PBB for two seasons.

26:40 And it's been a crazy journey.

26:44 I mean, this post that I recently just posted is a 10-year anniversary post.

26:49 That I really did not expect.

26:52 I mean, if you tell this kid right here that,

26:54 "Yo, Richard, in 10 years, you're going to be producing a cross-country film

26:58 with one of the hottest artists from the Philippines,

27:01 and also from Thailand, and from another region,"

27:04 he would be like, "Ha-ha, no way, bye."

27:06 He's like that.

27:07 And then, yeah, yet here we are.

27:09 And I'm getting--I mean, looking back, I have so many flashbacks.

27:12 He's already crying.

27:13 No, no.

27:14 But just looking back, a lot of good memories were in the house.

27:19 But most importantly, I think this was really the jump-off for me.

27:23 That I was like, "Ah, this could really be my career."

27:26 Who were your batchmates?

27:28 My batchmates--

27:29 There were a lot, right?

27:30 Yes.

27:31 It was 737.

27:32 So my adult housemates were--

27:35 Tommy and Miho were the big--the most popular.

27:39 You remember them.

27:40 During that time.

27:41 And then, I was also in the same batch as Barbie Imperial,

27:43 technically, but they were teens.

27:45 Okay, next.

27:47 10 years.

27:48 Oh, no.

27:50 No.

27:51 Who's that?

27:52 That's recent.

27:54 What was that?

27:56 That was in LA recently when I went to the MIFF.

28:02 For Malayari, my previous horror film with Papa P.

28:06 There, it was my first time attending the MIFF.

28:09 I think it was also the--

28:10 The first.

28:11 The first MIFF, yeah.

28:12 So I was really happy to be there.

28:14 Styled by Peri Taboara.

28:17 I love your fashion transition.

28:20 It's like--

28:21 We saw it from your teens.

28:24 And now, it's a bit--

28:26 How did you discover that this is your style?

28:29 I think I realized that I'm more of a--

28:33 I really value comfort.

28:35 If I'm not comfortable in my outfit,

28:37 I can't always wear something that's beautiful.

28:40 So I told Peri that maybe we can think of outfits that are comfortable,

28:44 but they still slay.

28:46 True, like this one.

28:48 So, yeah, those are my pegs for now.

28:51 But can you imagine yourself attending fashion weeks?

28:55 It's crazy.

28:57 I heard the sacrifices you would make for fashion week are insane.

29:02 So I don't think--

29:03 Like what?

29:04 Like, they really--

29:05 They have to change the car.

29:07 Yeah, just for fashion.

29:08 Sometimes it's really cold outside, but you have to wear whatever out.

29:12 Yeah, so I don't think it's for me,

29:15 but I would love to experience it maybe once.

29:18 Let's wait for Janelle.

29:20 Who knows, Milan or Paris.

29:22 Next.

29:23 There, go ahead.

29:25 The things I'm showing you are beautiful.

29:27 What is that?

29:28 Richard Sayor, my friend.

29:31 You really nailed it.

29:32 This is really--

29:33 This is the very first time I've ever been on TV in my whole life

29:39 with the spotlight on me.

29:43 This was the first time that I experienced what is called "trending," apparently.

29:50 Because during that time, I didn't know what the hell trending was.

29:53 But apparently, after this, I went backstage.

29:58 Everybody was like, "Oh my God, Richard, congrats! You're trending on Twitter!"

30:01 I was like, "What's trending?"

30:04 So there were those moments.

30:06 But basically, this is my first time on TV, on Ipulaga.

30:09 Again, this is also one of the ones where I always say, "I'm grateful for this."

30:12 This is the one that literally changed my life completely.

30:18 I still remember three days, four days before going on this show,

30:23 I called up my dad and called up my mom.

30:25 "Mom, Dad, there's this opportunity to go on TV, Ipulaga."

30:30 Because my parents grew up here in the Philippines.

30:32 So I was like, "Oh my God, Ipulaga, that's cool."

30:34 I used to watch it when I was growing up.

30:36 And then I told them that I'm going to be on it.

30:40 They were like, "Wait, why? What's there?"

30:43 But my dad was very supportive.

30:45 He was like, "You know what? Just try it. Who knows what's going to happen."

30:49 So this was before PBB?

30:50 This was the year before PBB. I was still in college.

30:52 I was still in UP actually.

30:53 Oh, this one.

30:54 Yeah.

30:55 It's like we've already met here.

30:58 SM Youth, maybe.

31:00 I'm not too sure.

31:02 Maybe not.

31:03 It's been a while.

31:04 Okay, next.

31:05 From the movie.

31:07 There.

31:08 That's the...

31:10 Actually, that's in the trailer.

31:12 That scene.

31:13 I said in the trailer...

31:15 He told me, "Money can't buy happiness."

31:19 I was like, "Are you enjoying your Tom Yum?"

31:22 He said, "Yes."

31:24 I said, "Then I bought your happiness."

31:28 That's the line.

31:30 I'm getting mad.

31:31 I'm watching the trailer.

31:33 There.

31:35 But do you believe that money can't buy happiness?

31:38 I believe money can buy certain happiness.

31:40 Oh, really?

31:41 I really believe that.

31:43 Because if you can buy things that make you happy, then money can buy happiness.

31:48 Yes.

31:49 But not your entire happiness.

31:51 Parts of it.

31:52 Actually, when we shot that scene, Wyn couldn't stop laughing.

31:55 Really?

31:56 Yeah, there was one line there.

31:58 I think it was my entrance.

32:00 "Just wait for the movie."

32:02 He laughed so hard at what Director asked me to do.

32:05 He couldn't stop laughing.

32:07 That's one of the scenes we'll be waiting for in Under Paradise.

32:12 Okay, next.

32:13 Wow, this one.

32:15 Well...

32:16 Yeah, this is...

32:18 I think this is one of the more difficult places to shoot.

32:22 Because we were all in public.

32:25 And there were so many people taking photos.

32:28 Of course, here, there's a crucial scene.

32:31 This is one of the most crucial scenes in the film, by the way, guys.

32:34 So, we...

32:36 I remember Direk really specifically told us, producers, that...

32:40 requested for one day or longer time than usual to get this scene done.

32:46 Because it's so important for the film.

32:48 And of course, this is the iconic scene of Hong Kong.

32:51 I'm referring to the photo at the top.

32:53 So, this is the iconic part of Hong Kong.

32:55 It's where...

32:57 The most iconic part of Hong Kong.

32:59 If you look at this, you know this is Hong Kong.

33:01 And then, of course, at the bottom, as a producer, this is me checking what's happening.

33:05 I feel like I'm just posing here.

33:09 I'm not sure.

33:10 In fairness, I want to take a picture of you at the bottom.

33:14 I feel like this is a good scene to shoot.

33:16 - Yes. - Dedicated.

33:19 Definitely, this is also a very important part of my life.

33:23 Because I'm different now.

33:25 I'm not the old me anymore.

33:27 But where's the location? So we can go to Hong Kong.

33:30 The one at the top, that's Avenue of Stars.

33:32 And then, the one at the bottom is...

33:34 It's 181 Hotel, actually.

33:36 That's where we shot all of our hotel scenes.

33:39 So, to the Filipinos who are in Hong Kong now, you know where I'm going.

33:42 Yes. Actually, a lot of people are going to the hotel to take photos of those scenes that were shown on the trailer.

33:48 We've been doing this since K-Drama.

33:50 And now, we're doing this for you.

33:52 That's what we really want as producers.

33:54 We wanted to do that.

33:55 Okay, next.

33:57 - There. - There.

33:59 Asian Film Awards.

34:01 - Bugs. - Bugs.

34:02 - Bugs. - Bugs.

34:03 - Bugs. - Bugs.

34:04 Bugs.

34:05 What's "Bugs"?

34:09 Bugs.

34:11 - Bugs. - Yes, Miss Jonna.

34:13 Bugs.

34:14 We just talked about bugs.

34:16 Love Your Dress by Mark.

34:18 Yeah, by Mark Baumgarner.

34:20 It was actually...

34:22 I chose that dress. It's really beautiful.

34:24 It was an experience attending this event.

34:29 And knowing that Derek and I were the only Filipinas in the room.

34:36 It was so exciting.

34:38 I was so nervous on that red carpet.

34:41 I don't know if it was obvious.

34:43 But I was so nervous.

34:45 Mama's confidence was amazing.

34:47 But Richard said that you should've worn black.

34:50 That's why. I wasn't informed.

34:52 I should've removed my jacket so that I could wear black.

34:55 Okay, next.

34:57 - There. - There.

35:00 Well, this was my first ever tele-series.

35:05 This was Love Thy Woman.

35:08 With Kim Chiu and Cian Lim.

35:11 But yeah, it was my first ever tele-series.

35:14 And this was right before the pandemic.

35:16 This is, again, a very important part of my life.

35:20 This was the project that I thought, in terms of on-cam,

35:25 this would be my breakthrough as an actor.

35:31 But the pandemic happened.

35:36 So they had to cut my story.

35:38 Because I remember, they were trying to pair me up with Kim already.

35:43 I was the love interest of Kim.

35:45 I remember I already received the script.

35:49 That says something about...

35:51 I'm not sure if I'm allowed to share this.

35:55 Basically, I had the script saying that I'm going to confess already to Kim.

35:59 Something like that.

36:00 But the pandemic happened.

36:02 They had to cut short my story.

36:04 Because the last thing that I taped, I remember very vividly,

36:07 was supposedly, if it's in a book, it's going to the next chapter.

36:10 I think for them, it was easier to just cut off the story.

36:13 And change all that up.

36:16 But again, it also made me realize that maybe this is part of God's plan for me.

36:22 Divine's plan for me.

36:23 That I'm supposed to do something else behind the camera.

36:26 Okay, next.

36:32 This was last year when Jude turned 3 years old.

36:36 I was planning my last minute for that party.

36:40 It was so stressful as a mom to plan my birthdays.

36:47 I just realized that it was the effort of moms.

36:50 So guys, say thank you to your moms.

36:53 When they plan your birthdays and all of that.

36:56 But it was fun because I saw that Jude had so much fun.

37:02 I thought of a safari because she loves animals.

37:06 And then, why did I think of a safari? I have a reason.

37:10 Did she watch anything?

37:13 Lion King?

37:14 No, she hasn't watched full movies yet.

37:17 Because her attention span is still not that much.

37:20 But I made sure to get a bubble show.

37:23 Because she loves bubbles.

37:25 Oh, those full-body bubbles?

37:30 I never experienced that actually.

37:31 The ninongs who enjoy the bubbles.

37:34 It's just so fun and rewarding when you see your child enjoying the bubbles.

37:41 I'm like my mom in the movie.

37:44 Me too, when I see my dog enjoying the bubbles, I feel like I'm a child.

37:48 But in fairness, Jude grew up fast.

37:51 She was just a baby.

37:52 But I just remembered.

37:54 Before I share my story again.

37:56 There was a time when you spoke against Jude's bashing.

38:01 But until now, have you experienced that with your son?

38:05 Not anymore.

38:07 Good for you.

38:08 They should.

38:09 They're afraid.

38:10 No, because he was bashed.

38:13 When I posted photos of him, he was bashed for his appearance.

38:18 That's very low of grown-ass men bashing a baby's appearance.

38:22 So I really had to put them in place.

38:27 The moms should be the ones to be bashed.

38:30 Valentina was already out then.

38:33 That's why the Safari theme.

38:35 For the new kids.

38:38 Okay, next.

38:41 Oh, oh, oh.

38:42 What's that?

38:43 Oh, oh.

38:46 Oh, my gosh.

38:49 Oh, man.

38:51 Yes, 2005.

38:53 That was you?

38:56 Yes.

38:57 Oh, my God.

38:58 There.

39:00 That has no sound, right?

39:01 It should have a sound.

39:03 What I'm singing there is "Wag na Wag Mong Sasabihin" by Kitschie Nadal.

39:09 Growing up, I was the biggest fan of Kitschie Nadal.

39:13 As in, I had my mom buy me her cassette tape.

39:17 Then I played it over and over again to the player.

39:20 I sang her songs.

39:22 I even attended one of her concerts.

39:24 So there, I sang her song.

39:26 Let's try again.

39:27 How do we do this?

39:28 How do we do this?

39:29 Let's see.

39:30 Where's our mic?

39:31 You can go first.

39:34 So cute.

39:37 Ball show.

39:38 You know, I was really happy with the cassette.

39:40 Because it's very millennial.

39:41 For those Gen Z who don't know.

39:44 Yeah, I got that cassette tape.

39:47 What's that?

39:48 Oh.

39:50 I said.

39:51 I forgot about this.

39:52 I'll put you in jail.

39:54 And because of that, thank you so much for sharing the stories behind this post.

39:59 Of course, we won't end this without inviting you under Parallels.

40:03 The camera is here.

40:06 And also your social media accounts.

40:08 Who's first?

40:10 You can start.

40:11 Me.

40:12 There.

40:14 First of all, thank you guys for spending time with us right now.

40:17 We hope you enjoyed our interview and our challenges.

40:20 And I hope you support our film.

40:22 It's coming out very, very soon.

40:24 It's called Under Parallel Skies.

40:26 Directed by Direk Sigrid Bernardo.

40:28 Produced by 28 Squared Studios.

40:31 And of course, I'm here with Wyn Merwin.

40:33 I hope you guys get inspired by the film.

40:36 I hope we see you in the cinemas on April 17.

40:39 And of course, I hope you guys support local cinema.

40:42 And, sorry.

40:44 I'll just sing it.

40:46 Please stream Headtone.

40:47 My newest single.

40:50 Stream now.

40:51 And, what else?

40:54 That's from the music video, actually.

40:56 So, the music video isn't out yet.

40:58 Watch Headtone music video.

41:00 I co-directed it.

41:01 And stream on Spotify and other streaming platforms.

41:06 And the concert.

41:08 Yes, and I have a concert this coming April 19.

41:11 And I hope to see you guys there.

41:13 It's going to be at the New Frontier Theatre.

41:16 Janela Reimagined.

41:17 And, yeah.

41:19 I would really love to see all your faces there.

41:21 Because this is my first big concert.

41:24 And of course, Richard.

41:28 So, guys.

41:30 Our premiere night will be happening, of course, in April.

41:32 Very, very soon.

41:33 Please watch out for that.

41:35 More announcement will be coming out on our social media accounts.

41:37 Which is @28SquaredStudios.

41:39 Of course, thank you guys so much for the support.

41:42 Janela said earlier, please support Philippine Cinema.

41:44 Because this is what we're doing.

41:45 We're trying to bring Philippine Cinema out to the region.

41:48 If not, to the world.

41:49 And, of course, please go watch them.

41:51 It's on cinemas only, April 17.

41:53 In the Philippines, May 1, Singapore.

41:56 May 9, Thailand.

41:58 And who knows?

41:59 Maybe more territories to come.

42:00 Hopefully.

42:01 We're working on that.

42:02 No promises.

42:03 But, Yun, thank you so much, guys, for supporting us.

42:06 And, yeah.

42:07 Under Prowess Sky is coming out soon.

42:08 Cross Fingers.

42:09 Parts of US Premiere.

42:10 Olay.

42:11 Thank you so much, PEPs.

42:13 Don't forget to follow our socials.

42:15 Richard1 and @superjanela on Instagram.

42:19 Me, Mr. Nico Tuazon.

42:21 PEP alerts, PEP TV, socials.

42:23 It's all down below.

42:24 I'm too lazy to say it.

42:26 There's a lot.

42:27 And this has been PEP Live.

42:30 Yay!

42:31 Thank you!

42:32 Yay!

42:33 [Clapping]

42:35 [Music]

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