Ann Curtis lucky to find a soulmate

Without sweating the details, Anne Curtis declares she is happily moving on after splitting with non-showbiz boyfriend of two years, Paolo Araneta. "I'm okay," Anne tells reporters in a presscon for her latest big screen project, "All About Love," held last Friday afternoon at Casino Filipino in Waterfront Lahug. "I'm happy," she adds, beaming to her ears.

While the Fil-Aussie beauty spells out her reluctance to plunge into another serious relationship, she is quick to admit that she totally enjoys the company of Luis "Lucky" Manzano, her co-host in "Star Circle Summer Kid Quest" and loveteam partner in "All About Love," even beyond working hours.

The film proves to be a first of sorts for the two: it's the first-ever film of Luis, it's Anne's first-ever movie under Star Cinema, and it's the first-ever film that teams them up, following the introduction of their romantic pairing via the fantasy TV series, "Kampanerang Kuba."

Based on the trailer, their cat-and-dog story in the episode, "Kalesa," takes care of the comical flavor in the three-in-one love flick that also features the tandems of John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo for "About Ana" and Angelica Panganiban-Jason Abalos for "Promdi." (See related story.)

Their chemistry is hard to miss onscreen, and so much more off screen. This first came to our attention when they promoted "Kampanerang Kuba" in Cebu last year, despite the fact that both of them were either committed or interested in other people at that time.

If you wonder why the two seemed to get on so well, it is because they are the best of friends, according to Anne. "We have been soulmates for six years now," she explains. Now that we aren't seeing any strings attached, we can't help but try to ferret out some meaning in their closeness.

Anne reveals that Luis wooed her before, and that they dated briefly, before it got nipped in the bud. She is open to idea of their relationship progressing into something more, but maintains that what they have right now is nothing more but friendship-a sturdy one at that. "Our relationship is stronger than ever as friends," stresses Anne.

With this film, it appears to us that ABS-CBN is grooming them into an official loveteam, though Anne bares that Luis is not her partner in a yet unnamed, upcoming soap. But who knows? When "All About You," Star Cinema's 13th anniversary special offering, scores big at the box office, expect to see more of them in the future.

In the film, Anne plays the tomboyish Badong, who assumes her father's job as kutsero after the latter suffered from a stroke. Romance takes off on the wrong foot as she meets moneyed playboy, Wesley (Manzano), by accident. Anne's no stranger to the role as, she says, she's really "makulit," and that, away from glaring public eye and rolling cameras, she's uncomplicated and barely fusses about how she looks.

John Lloyd-heartbroken once, too

In a way, John Lloyd Cruz can relate to his character, Eric, having been heartbroken himself over a lost love. But the young heartthrob admits to facing more difficulty in breathing life into his role, in contrast to his more dramatic portrayal in "Dubai." "Ang hirap kumapit ng role na ito," reveals John Lloyd. (Painfully familiar, perhaps?)

"All About Love" could be one of the final films wherein the bankable tandem of John Lloyd and Bea will figure in. He might as well get used to the feeling of not having Bea around, as he will soon be moving on to projects that will match him with other leading ladies. Bea, who plays in the film the role of Lia, a young woman devastated by a philandering fiancé, is busy shooting the Manny Pacquiao bio right now.

Fans would be delighted to know that the talented actor is being prepared for more acting genres other than romances. He admitted that a gay portrayal is in the pipeline.

After comments from reporters that "All About Love" is too light a follow-up to his striking turn in "Dubai," he explains that he took on this film because he trusts the network's plans for him and that their presence in the film is their way of saying thank you to Star Cinema for the breaks that catapulted their loveteam to blockbuster standing. Now, he says, they are returning the favor by supporting newer loveteams, just like what senior talents did to them when they were starting out.

The presscon of "All About Love," which is premiering on May 31 and directed by Jerry Sineneng, Don Cuaresma and Bb. Joyce Bernal, was made possible by Josie Pereyra of JSP Ads and Promotions and ABS-CBN Cebu.