Despite their short-lived relationship in the past, it wasn’t that hard to persuade JM de Guzman and Barbie Imperial to reunite in a movie, this time in director RC delos Reyes’ “3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion,” now showing in cinemas.
The challenging part though was to convince the two to execute the kissing scene in the romantic flick, according to the film director.
“I talked to Barbie, of course, I asked permission (as a courtesy). I told her, ‘B, ito yung naisip namin, si JM, ganyan,” direk RC shared in an interview during the film’s special screening in Century City Mall Cinema in Makati City. “I didn’t know… Maybe she knew about JM’s backstories like what he has been doing, his progress. I texted her and she said, ‘OK, sige go.’”
“Maybe more than the history, she thought how good JM is (as an actor),” surmised direk RC. “That’s one thing she considered when we talked, she wants to work with JM because she believes how good he is and I also believed in that. So, perfect!”
“I think, ang pinaka-nahirapan ako ma-convince (siya) was the kiss,” added the director. “It was a one-time, big-time (scene). Andami kong kinonvince dito kay Barbie.”
But Barbie agreed, nonetheless. “Of course, I still asked permission from her because it’s needed in the story. And she saw it. She and JM were very professional.” They did one take for that particular scene.
“There was no problem for JM. He is very easy to talk to,” described direk RC of JM, adding that JM is the quiet type of person.
“When I asked him if he had a comment, (JM answered), ‘None, direk, none.’ When it came to the kissing scene, he also saw that it was part of the story.”
Direk RC, actually, told the two about the kissing scene right there and then while filming. “When they kissed, parang may spark. Even Jas (Jasmine Curtis-Smith), natuwa. Kahit biglaan lang siya. It was really part of the script.
“At first, she (Barbie) was really hesitant maybe because it was too personal. Sabi nila, ‘Direk, pwede wala?’ But when we shot it, I said, ‘B, it’s really needed because it’s part of the story.’ (Barbie replied with a sigh), ‘OK direk, one lang.’ So, I said thank you so much.’
In an e-mail interview with The STAR, Barbie shared she really said no initially. “I think pinersonal ko siya (I took it personally). But when direk RC said it was needed in the scene, I said OK. JM is very professional. He takes care of people, especially when it comes to his co-actors.”
Barbie added that she accepted the project because of direk RC, citing his previous and latest works as “masterpieces.” The actress previously worked with the director in the trending film “I Love Lizzy.”
“I was also excited to work with Black Cap Pictures, Jasmine and JM,” she added.
On collaborating with JM, she said she was more “excited than nervous” in working with him. “Ngayon lang kami ulit nagka-trabaho after ‘Araw Gabi,’” she said, referring to their ABS-CBN drama that aired in 2018. “I knew it was gonna be easy. I just know how JM works, he’s amazing.”
In the film, Barbie is Charlie, described as a “cool and cosmopolitan young woman who has curated the best version of herself in the big city, far from her probinsya roots.”
She and her childhood bestfriend Gabbie (Jasmine) will get entangled in a love triangle with Javi (JM). They go on a three-day and two-night adventure in the streets of Poblacion in Makati City.
Now playing in 140 cinemas nationwide, “3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion” also stars Kakai Bautista, Mercedes Cabral with the special participation of Lady Morgana.