Julie Anne serves life & love lessons in Heartful Cafe

'It’s about finding love in the most unexpected place and time.”

That was Julie Anne San Jose speaking about the premise of her and David Licauco’s first TV project titled Heartful Cafe in a recent media conference via Zoom.

She plays the online romance novelist and coffee enthusiast named Heart Fulgencio, while he is the competitive businessman Ace Nobleza. Heart manages a cafe and Ace wants to invest in the latter. How will Ace win Heart (or it could be the other way around) is what viewers will look forward to, among the romantic drama’s twists and turns. One thing is for sure though: Julie Anne and David’s characters will serve lessons about life and love.

The GMA 7 latest primetime show, which premieres tomorrow night, right after First Yaya, will see the singer-actress in a feel-good light, a stark contrast to her previous works like My Guitar Princess and Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa.

“When I got a call to audition for the role, I said yes to it,” remembered Julie Anne, “because maganda yung show concept at first time ko na magkaroon ng rom-com role. I looked forward to it because we had an amazing team, the script was very light. It was my first time to work with David.” The team-up of Julie Anne and David is a breath of fresh air and their Heart and Ace will remind viewers of the feels associated to romance. Also joining them in this journey to love is EA Guzman as Uno Ynares, Heart’s TOTGA (The One That Got Away), who will chase love after studying abroad.

“With EA, I would work with him in production numbers in a variety show,” said Julie Anne, adding that Heartful Cafe is also their first TV series, “halos first time kaming magkaka-trabaho lahat.” The cast also includes Ayra Mariano, Victor Anastacio, Angel Guardian, Zonia Mejia and Jamir Zabarte. They play interesting and adorable characters like the loyal companion, the funny guy, the hopeless romantic friend, the loud cousin and the boy next door. Each represents in one way or another a view on love and its fascinating facets.

Given that first-time-to-work-with circumstance and the lock-in taping caused by the pandemic, Julie Anne said, “I didn’t have difficulty adjusting (because) magaang katrabaho ang lahat (I got along with them and it was easy working with everybody).” It’s safe to say that she had fun time working on the set of Heartful Cafe.

“Maganda talaga yung palabas and when we did preview it, nakakakilig talaga (ito),” said Julie Anne, who likes the show’s concept and story, two of the building blocks that spell an engaging entertainment.

“It’s also perfect for this time because we’ve been through a lot,” said she, thinking that viewers deserve to watch “something fresh, new and feel-good... they will get romantically thrilled, fall in love and learn a lot about life and love.”

Since Heart and Ace are both entrepreneurs, takeaways on business are also up for grabs.

“Viewers will learn (something about the importance of) being hardworking and being passionate,” said David, “that as long as you put (your heart into your work) and you’re willing to go the extra mile to achieve what you want, it will happen.”

Aside from learning the bits and pieces of Ace through acting workshops, David had to stay fit as his role demanded for it. “Before the taping started, I went back to my old trainer,” said he, “we had intense workout. I would go to his gym in Parañaque, from my place in Quezon City, five times a week.” With his first leading role, David was simply grateful for those who made this manna from showbiz heaven possible. He was glad, too, that the show will be aired on GMA from GTV. Director Mark Sicat dela Cruz also felt the same way with David.

“I’m happy that the bosses have decided to air it on GMA 7 from GTV,” said the director of the development. “Whether it will be broadcast on GTV or GMA, gagalingan ko (I still give my all). Perhaps, they liked it. In every project that I do, I give my best and try to excel and I study it well.” Direk Mark also acknowledged the show’s well-written script that inspired him to be on his toes. Part of his work was making sure that the chemistry between Julie Anne and David comes through onscreen.

“They trusted and helped each other,” said the director, “when David didn’t know what to do, Julie Anne helped him out and vice versa. That was something special about (how they worked). It was my first time to direct them, kahit ako nabigla din, kinikilig ako habang nag-di-direct. Malakas yung chemistry (nila). When I asked them to do something, they trusted me (and I knew that) they could pull it off.”

With that, viewers can’t wait for the Heartful Cafe team to serve their cup of romance pronto.

(Heartful Cafe will also be simultaneously aired on GMA Heart of Asia. Viewers abroad can also watch the series via GMA Pinoy TV. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.)