McLisse love team sets aside spat for first film

MANILA, Philippines — Elisse Joson and McCoy de Leon, known to fans as the love team McLisse, are finally getting their first film together in Sakaling Maging Tayo, the opening salvo of the ABS-CBN film production brand Black Sheep. Director is JP Habac, who was also behind the Maja Salvador-Paulo Avelino starrer I’m Drunk, I Love You in 2017.

Elisse and McCoy, both 23, had to overcome their personal rift to make the movie happen. The conflict partly resulted to delays in the filming of their big-screen debut. Both hinted that it was caused by a budding romance that went sour.

“Maraming times po na nag-start ang shoot namin tapos di natutuloy,” McCoy revealed to The STAR, adding the story also underwent revisions. The #Hashtags member cited different factors such as their schedules with both pursuing separate TV projects, and “personal matters.” “They (the management) were getting tired of what was happening to us. So, I said, maybe we should stop becoming negative. Whatever happened, happened.”

Joining McLisse in Sakaling Maging Tayo are (from left) Paulo Angeles, Milo Elmido Jr. and Chai Fonacier. Bembol Roco and Markus Patterson (not in photo) also star in the film.

According to McCoy, they were able to prove to Black Sheep, which was willing to invest in their team-up, that they were determined to work things out. “Ipinakita namin sa kanila na ito po, inaral namin, na handa po kami kung sakali ibalik po sa amin itong movie na ito.” He said that “by God’s grace and through prayers” the film pushed through.

Elisse also shared how they reconciled for the sake of the film and the people rooting for their tandem: “We couldn’t waste any time because when we didn’t become OK, it was also the time we started filming. It was so difficult! We went through a lot and many people were already involved... I won’t deny that people around us talked some sense into us. We were given a reality check: ‘Guys, you’ve been given a film.’ I guess that was the time it dawned on us, what’s the pride and anger for? We have a movie and a blessing; we have to set it (gap) aside. And we were able to do it po.”

Asked if it’s better off for McLisse (which started on the 2016 Pinoy Big Brother) to be not a romantic item off screen, the Ngayon at Kailanman actress answered, “Going through everything that happened, I think so. I’ve realized that you don’t rush things. If dadating ang relationship sa ganun, then dadating. Pero sana mas nagkaroon ng chance makilala ang isa’t isa para mas ma-enjoy pa yung moments na kinilig.”

For McCoy, on the other hand, he couldn’t say for sure if it would be better for a love team to avoid becoming a couple in real life. “But personally,” he added, referring to what happened to them in the past, “mas OK na nangyari yun at ano ang nangyayari sa present kasi alam kong masaya siya with her family and with everything in her work and career.”

Elisse said she’s indeed happy with the pace of her career. “I’ve been getting blessings and it’s not yung agad na todo todo. Slowly but surely. Baby steps po. I can’t just say, please give me projects because I might not deliver. Yung mga nabibigay sa akin ngayon maganda kasi naunti-unti ko, nakakapa ko sarili ko kung paano ko magagawa. This year, I hope to become consistent in terms of (gaining) knowledge about my craft.”

With director JP Habac on the set of the film in Baguio City

She’s also open to transition from sweet to mature roles, and plans to finish the final year of her fashion design course at De La Salle-College of St. Benilde.

McCoy, for his part, said his life has changed so much since entering showbiz in 2012 via Be Careful With My Heart. “I was able to help my family. Nagkaroon sila ng assurance. I can’t say I’m the breadwinner but I’m the one who’s helping the family in terms of the schooling of my siblings and the maintenance of our house in Tondo.”

McCoy spends his free time at their old home in Tondo, which is located right smack in the middle of the market, even if he now has a condo. Tondo, he said, keeps him grounded that’s why he swore he won’t ever leave the place.

McCoy also tries to do things he used to do pre-showbiz like joining Quaipo Church’s annual Traslacion. In his Instagram, he shared his struggle to reach the Black Nazarene in this year’s procession: “Dalawang beses akong nahulog habang umaakyat sa Poon, hanggang sa huling pagkakataon nakaharap ko ulit siya. Ang tanging nagawa ko lang ay yumoko magpasalamat sa lahat. (I fell twice while climbing up to [the Black Nazarene] until finally I had the chance to face His image again. I could only bow down and say thank you for everything).”

In Sakaling Maging Tayo, McCoy and Elisse play Pol and Laya, two college freshmen who accidentally meet during the last school day in Baguio City. Laya decides to move back to Manila after a failed romance, while Pol, after witnessing Laya’s breakdown, promises to make her last night in Baguio memorable and fun. Unknown to Laya, Pol has always admired her from afar. The film opens on Jan. 16.