A return to bittersweet love in Vivamax’s ‘How To Love Mr. Heartless’

CEBU, Philippines —  Filmmaker Jason Paul Laxamana had been willing to join the bandwagon of helming risqué potboilers and had in fact a few story ideas that he pitched to Viva bosses. But the writer-director of such well-received flicks as “100 Tula Para Kay Stella,” “The Day After Valentine’s” and “Just a Stranger” was advised to stick with what he does best: bittersweet blockbuster love stories that often reduce audiences into a blubbering mess.

“We’ve seen that when the pandemic began, there was a boom in mature, sexy films – and there’s nothing wrong with that. In fact, in 2013 I did a bold movie for Cinemalaya,” the director said during a virtual conference. “With a lot of that coming out, I felt like I wanted to do something that teenagers and kids can also watch. I wanted to make something the family can enjoy, especially the younger audience.”

And so to balance out, if anything, Vivamax’s soft-core line-up, here comes “How To Love Mr. Heartless”, an opposites-attract love story between the bubbly and charming girl, Yanyan, and the snobbish mysterious guy, Blue.

Now streaming on Vivamax, the film stars two of the most in-demand young actors of today, Sue Ramirez, in her first Vivamax movie, and Diego Loyzaga, who continuously proves his versatility in numerous Vivamax Originals namely “Death of a Girlfriend”, “Bekis on the Run”, “House Tour”, “Dulo”, “The Wife”, “Adarna Gang”, and “Greed.”

A good daughter and a reliable sister, Sue’s Yanyan will do anything for her family. She also loves preparing meals and cooking for them to show how much she cares. With her cooking, she’ll also try to get to know Diego’s Blue, the handsome young man who is often cold and distant from everyone but is also the one who did not hesitate to take care of Yanyan when she was in need.

Yanyan exerts effort to win Blue’s affection because she could not forget what he had done for her and can’t help but fall for him. Is Yanyan finally the one who can take away Blue’s blues? Or will it be another tiresome and failed mission to win his heart? To begin with, does Blue still even have a heart?

Direk Jason felt fortunate to be assign lead stars that were actually worth their salt. “When we were casting, it wasn’t hard to agree to suggestions of Sue and Diego playing the roles. I’m not trying to shade anyone, but I’d like to go back to the times when the reason for casting someone for a film is because of their skill. I want to bring back that respect for the filmmaking craft,” he shared.

“I had yet to work with Diego, but he auditioned for me for ‘100 Tula Para Kay Stella’ when the project was still with Star Cinema. Doon pa lang, ang galing na niyang umarte. So I am aware of his comepetence.”

“Same way with Sue – for a long time I’ve been trying to get her for my indie films but it wouldn’t work out because she’s doing another project. And it helped when I discovered that they go way back, so there’s no awkwardness and it was easy to get the professional skills necessary for this project.”

Direk Jason further said that he spent a good amount of time researching on the personality types of the two main characters: Diego’s was someone who had a scientific explanation for everything, including romantic relationships. Sue’s, on the opposite spectrum, relied less on reason and more on her faith and optimism.

The director clearly adores Sue and Diego, expressing his desire to work with them again soon. “Sue, you almost don’t need to direct her. She understands the character, the backstory. Even if the lines are long, she’s able to internalize these. In one take, she delivers the lines perfectly,” said Direk Jason.

“As for Diego, I was actually surprised that he is also very serious in his craft, to the point that he always asks me questions. I like the fact that he’s not a know-it-all or a smart ass. He asks, which is very important. That kind of humility is key for his growth as an actor. Ayusin pa niya yung Tagalog niyo and he’ll be an unstoppable force.”

Sue, on a roll lately with her starring role on ABS-CBN’s “The Broken Marriage Vow”, said she was eager to begin the project as she and Diego go way back. “We used to host ‘ASAP Chillout’ together, and we’re really good friends. We’ve worked together in ‘Pangako Sa’yo’ but we weren’t each other’s love interest. So this was really the first time I was working across Diego. And it was a very exciting experience. I expected already that he would be good. I’m glad to have finally been able to work with him after all these years of being friends.”

Describing the son of veteran actors Cesar Montano and Teresa Loyzaga as a gentleman who was sensitive to most everyone’s needs on set, Sue said she was pleasantly surprised how her pal has changed for the better.

Sue said, “When he sees someone standing up, he’ll offer a chair. I knew all these before. What I discovered about him now was how disciplined and mature he has become. I’m glad to see his huge growth all these years. I’m proud how good he is as an actor.”

Asked how her role is relatable to audiences, the 25-year-old actress said, “I think she reflects a lot of the people I know. She’s the people-pleaser type so she really makes an effort that everyone around her be comfortable even if she herself is no longer comfortable. I’m not saying it’s wrong to be one, but you also have to leave something for yourself. They should learn to please others, but not at the expense of their feelings.”

Diego, in turn, revealed he felt “very pressured” acting opposite Sue. “It was a learning curve me for me. I thought I should strive for this standard of brilliance every single time I do a project. Everything comes naturally for Sue. I admit I still have a language barrier. Hirap pa rin ako mag-Tagalog, eh ang lalalim ng lines sa movie na ito.”

He added, “I did have trouble doing some of the scenes. But I saw how good Sue was, and it really motivated me. I can’t screw up. I have to do better tomorrow. Plus, Sue is one of the boys.  I’ve never played basketball with a girl na kasing galing ni Sue.”

Catching up with Sue after all this time, Diego noted, was a happy exercise in knowing that a friend of his is in a good place – one that he’s wishing to attain for himself.

“It was a lot easier to vibe with the whole set because I’m already comfortable with Sue. And it had been years that I haven’t seen her so it was non-stop talking and updating on each other’s personal lives. I hope this won’t be the last,” he said. “Nagkwentuhan kami where she is now in life, and I’m so happy. For a friend of mine, I love hearing stories like that. She’s got her priorities straight. She has her house now. Sana ako rin, malapit na. She’s set in life, she’s Sue Ramirez already.”

Sue teased that audiences will definitely be seeing more of her on Vivamax, although nothing’s yet set in stone for a follow-up to “How To Love Mr. Heartless.”

When told of the enviable state of her career now, Sue said she harbours no illusions of having already made it. “I always take everything that’s coming to me as the biggest blessing. That’s my mindset. Ayoko ipasok sa isip ko na nagbo-boom na yung career ko ngayon because I know I still have a lot to learn and madami pa akong kakaining bigas para maabot ko yung gusto kong ma-achieve.”

“I’m willing to learn, which I think is the most important trait to have as an actor. Malayo pa yung gusto kong maabot. Nagtatrabaho lang ako ng nagtatrabaho, dire-diretso lang ako.  I’m in a good place in my life. I don’t look at work as a chance to be famous. I see it as work that I love doing.”

As for Direk Jason, he credited  his actors and team for one of the smoothest productions he’s ever had in what could have been otherwise a disastrous time. “Production was supposed to be stressful. Konti lang yung number of days and kaka-start lang ng summer so sobrang init talaga sa set especially on our first day – bilad kung bilad. My actors were getting sunburned. Then for some reason, it was raining everyday in Pampanga where we shot.”