Dancing tandem debuts on the big screen

CEBU, Philippines — Dance sensations Ella Cruz and Julian Trono represent all fan boys and fan girls in their debut film under Viva Films and N² Productions.

The romantic comedy “Fangirl Fanboy,” produced by director Joyce Bernal, follows the story of Julian as Ollie Fernandez, a one-hit wonder who thinks too highly of himself and is a huge fan of Soo Mi Young (Yam Concepcion) who currently plays Sandy/Android 5000 in a Koreanovela.

In comes Ella as Aimee, the voice behind many animé, cartoon, and Koreanovela characters including Soo Mi Young’s character as she dubs the Filipino language over the original foreign dialogue and is a massive fan of Ollie’s.

Ollie and Aimee’s worlds collide as Aimee agrees to help Ollie improve his skills as an actor. Succeeding in that undertaking, Aimee however finds herself heartbroken as complications arise after Ollie’s career takes off.

The movie promises to be a timely take on the K-pop culture. But not only do we have a debut for the JulianElla tandem, “Fangirl Fanboy” is also Barry Gonzalez’s directorial debut.

“It’s a feel-good film,” Julian begins in a press conference at the Executive Lounge of Cebu Parklane International Hotel last Sunday preceding a mall tour and a red carpet premiere at SM City Cebu.

The young actor says that the film makes up for the various heartbreaking films that came out over the recent months like “Kita Kita” and “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” which came out under Viva as well.

Julian and Ella have known each other for six years now and are grateful for the support and trust they’ve been bestowed as they take on their biggest project yet.

Laugh trip

Despite feeling the pressure, the duo trusts that they’ve done their utmost to give the film justice. They share that the film is more of a comedy – one that stems from the slapstick old-school brand of humor with a modern taste, hinting that it might translate as corny but in a good way.

“Lahat na siguro ng facial expressions at knock-knock jokes nagawa ko na dito,” Ella, who held most of the comedy end of the film, says.

The 21-year-old admits that she’s more into drama and found it challenging to meet the energy needed in a light-hearted film.

“Hinanap siya [drama] ng katawan ko. Para sa akin, mas mahirap pag light. But masaya, kasi nga I had a phase where I portrayed a young mom and had more mature roles. Nakakatuwa po na bumabalik ako sa age ko, and I’m working on roles na akma sa mukha ko, bagets lang. But I’m already 21 so I hope people don’t see me as a child just because I was a child star,” Ella points out.

Both stars guarantee a laugh trip before a feels trip, and trust that their chemistry translate naturally.

“Wala ng ilangan. Yung level ng passion namin nag-meet kasi and we had our own way of doing things instead of just following orders of what we had to deliver,” Ella quips.

“We’re making memories together. It’s a collaboration so dapat nag-iisip din yung artist, na dapat may manggaling sa artist. On our end, pinagsamasama namin ni Ella lahat ng mga natutunan namin,” Julian elaborates.

Seizing the moment

Asked about the real score between him and Ella, Julian stresses that they’re still both dead-set on creating a foundation for their careers.

“Right now we’re still enjoying, and we need to focus on the work. Kasi mahirap mag-miss out, kailangan seize the moment kasi hindi madaling dumating yung mga opportunity. Alam naman ng mga tao na we’re special for each other and I think for now that’s enough,” says Julian.

Despite being dance machines in their own right and both having an interest in music, there will be no deliberate dance and song numbers in “Fangirl Fanboy.”

“Na-establish na kasi namin yung dancing and singing. So this time, we want to showcase yung skill namin sa acting,” Ella says, adding that they do want to create more dance videos but couldn’t find the time since their energy has been focused on finishing and promoting the film.

Indeed, the two managed to put their game faces on and at times facilitate their press conference despite their clouded eyes and heavy shoulders – what with all the promotional events that had them flying in and out one city after the other.

But before anyone can feel sorry for them, Julian and Ella perked up and stressed that this was all part of the job.

“We’re more than thankful. Hindi sapat yung ‘Thank you’ lang,” Ella admits. “Hindi namin alam kung papaano ibabalik yung trust at blessing, especially for Viva who gave us this break. Lahat ng paghihirap and tasks pinag-iigihan nalang po namin, and we’re praying that the film would be successful.”

“Siyempre grateful po kami. On their [Viva] end, I’m just some guy, but grabe yung support. But it’s not just us, hindi lang kami ang masaya pag successful yung pelikula. Maraming tao ang bumubuo nito so we have to give them credit. Sa kanila po ito, this is just part of our work,” says Julian, who was also cast by Viva as a seemingly innocent boy in the psychological-horror film “Ang Pagsanib Kay Leah dela Cruz.”

Just a fan

When talk came to their own fan boy and fan girl moments, Julian and Ella reveals they are just as stoked as the next fan when meeting their idol

For Ella, who is a huge fan of everything K – from K-pop to K-dramas – has been to South Korea several times. The young lady sees to it that she gets to meet at least one of her idols in every trip to the country. Never mind standing in line for hours just to speak to them for five seconds, or waiting in the curb at negative temperature just to get a glimpse of her idols’ service car. To Ella, every second was worth it.

“Recently I met this group called BLACKPINK. As in ang saya ko. Naranasan ko yung maging fan, nakita at na-appreciate ko yung effort. I’m just a fan doon, but dito artista ako. Kaya thankful rin ako sa fans na ang daming ginagawa para masilip lang yung mga idol nila,” Ella explains, saying that she’s grown to appreciate her fans more and tries to communicate with them on and offline.

As for Julian, he got the surprise of his life after being able to tour with his hero – singer Sarah Geronimo. Julian got to perform with the Pop Princess in the Visayas leg of her “The Great Unknown” tour. From the rehearsals to the performance itself, Julian found himself taking videos and getting star-struck by Sarah’s mere presence.

“Grabe, everyone knew on the first night that I messed up our number for ‘Closer.’ Ibang level ng star-struck kasi. She looked at me and she’s a completely different person on stage. It’s a real performance. Ang saya and ang dami kong natutunan. I’m looking forward to working with her again soon,” Julian quips.

Next JaDine?

Should they have the chance of calling the shots for a teleserye, Ella wants to do a fantasy series since not everyone gets to do a project set in another world. Julian wants to do a rom-com that somehow centers on dance and music.

On talks that they are being groomed by Viva to be the next JaDine, Julian muses: “It’s very flattering,” he says. “Ang hirap i-meet ng expectation na yan. There’s never going to be another JaDine, not next year, or the year after that. Of course they’re an inspiration but we want to make our own names and gumawa ng paraan to establish ourselves. Hopefully, we’ll get to work together.”

Ella, for her part, adds that they’re all from the same Viva family and are learning from each other in the process.

“Fan Girl Fan Boy” debuts in cinemas today. (FREEMAN)