MANILA, Philippines — “A love story for all seasons.”
That’s how some press described When I Met You in Tokyo, the official big-screen comeback of “Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos, which also happens to be her reunion film with Christopher de Leon after almost 20 years.
It’s a fitting label considering that this love story is “age appropriate” for its lead stars. Meaning to say, it’s a movie that explores mature romance or falling in love a little later in life.
“It’s a love story na nasa edad namin. Hindi kami magbabata-bataan dito,” said Vilma during a recent presscon.
“It’s a good comeback for me after seven years of not being visible in showbiz… Yes, it’s a love story for all seasons. And I think yung team namin ni Boyet (Christopher) is a team for all seasons. And we’re very thankful for the trust,” she added.
In an industry where ageism is still a reality and senior stars are often being boxed into certain roles, Vilma believes it’s more important than ever to tell Filipino audiences stories like When I Met You in Tokyo.
Admit it or not, love stories that grace the Philippine screens are mostly associated with youth. In Hollywood, however, there are more and excellent examples of films that venture into the love lives of older couples such as Something’s Gotta Give starring Jack Nicholson and Diane Keaton or Our Souls At Night featuring Robert Redford and Jane Fonda.
Vilma said, “I think kasi ang Filipino audience, may kultura tayo kung minsan na ‘pag nagkaka-edad na, parang sa kanila hindi na famous, hindi na nabibigyan ng — how will you say this? — not naman importance but parang nale-lessen yung popularity mo, or parang hindi ka na pwede ma-in love when you age.
“Unlike in the States, the older you grow, the more respect they give you and the more they honor you and lahat ng achievements mo ng nagawa. And they don’t care even if you’re old.”
She cited also the film of Redford and Fonda as example, which she noted is proof that the more you age, “mas nirerespeto sila and nabibigyan sila ng pagkakataon to do good movies.”
“(There’s also) Clint Eastwood, who is a director pa and look at Meryl Streep, even if they look older, they’re still being given importance by their viewers there. Hindi yung itsura, but ang kakayahan nung actor (is being valued). They’re lucky because even if they’re older, binibigyan sila ng pagkakakilala sa kakayahan nila… Ganun ang taas ng pagtingin sa more mature actors in the States,” Vilma further reflected.
“Unfortunately here, parang hindi pa tanggap yun, no? Parang kapag nagkaka-edad ka ng konti, you’re just good for roles na mga senior, parang lola ka nalang, either mother or auntie ka. But this time, sa gagawin namin ni Boyet, we want to prove that even if we’re both 35 years old (laughs), even with our age and our generation, you can still fall in love.
“Gusto namin bigyan ng pagkakataon ang mga Titos and Titas that you can still fall in love, be in love and be loved. Yun ang gusto namin gawin sa pelikula namin ni Boyet. So walang age-age dito, once you feel it — once you fall in love — you show it and you give it.”
Christopher readily agreed that age is not a barrier when it comes to romance.
“Love has no boundaries. If you’re older and you fall in love, you know better. You’re more mature, you know how to handle stuff already. And the love, the joy would still be there,” he said.
“Yun ang naging romance nung dalawa (between our characters). It has no boundaries. Even if you’re much older than our age now, it doesn’t stop. In a perfect situation, in a right situation, you fall in love, parang meron forever, ganun. If you watch the movie, you’re going to laugh and fall in love. Again, no boundaries (in love), it will come.”
And the same goes for the acting craft, Vilma said. Age shouldn’t be a hindrance to enjoying the best roles possible. The veteran star echoed this year’s Oscar Best Actress winner Michelle Yeoh’s powerful statement while receiving the award for her portrayal in Everything Everywhere All At Once, “Ladies, don’t let anybody tell you, you are past your prime.”
Vilma said, “Walang limit ang age when it comes to acting and doing films, look at Tita Glo (Gloria Romero), look at Ms. Gina Pareño. At their age, kung may magandang project for them, give it to them because I’m sure they will deliver.
“I think what we need at this point is the opportunity. Mabigyan lang tayo ng break or opportunity, marami tayong senior stars na kakayanin yung ginagawa nila. Lalo na ang Pilipino, ma-abilidad. That’s one thing that we have.”
Vilma and Christopher were paired up for the first time in Celso Ad. Castillo’s Tag-Ulan sa Tag-Araw in 1975. The last film they starred in together was Mano Po 3 in 2004. The multi-awarded stars worked in over 20 movies together from the ‘70s up to the 2000s. They’ve also experienced shooting films overseas, but this is the first time they’re filming together in Japan.
“When this movie was offered to me, I just asked for the synopsis and who was going to be my co-actor. When they said, it’s Christopher de Leon, yes! Sinabi ko agad because I miss my team-up with Boyet,” Vilma shared.
“I know, somehow, nandiyan pa rin ang crowd namin ni Boyet. And it’s beautiful story. It’s a simple love story pero napakalalim (but very deep). It’s a big plus factor for me (to be working again with) Christopher de Leon and filming in Japan. With the visuals of Japan… it’s going to be beautiful to watch. (This film) is perfect timing.”
Christopher, for his part, said he was surprised when Vilma said yes to the movie offer. “The truth is, my director friend had a concept. We were just talking about the concept. And I was thinking about the right partner and told myself, ‘Bagay dito si Vilma Santos.’ Eventually and really, this movie is for us. Napa-wow ako kasi pumayag si Vi when she read the material and when she knew that we were going to shoot in Japan,” shared the veteran star, who also serves as the associate director.
Produced by JG Productions of Rowena Jamaji and Rajan Gidwani, When I Met You in Tokyo also stars young stars Cassy Legaspi and Darren Espanto.