Jennylyn’s premiere-debut: One for the book

They came to SM Megamall by the thousands on the night of May 30. By all accounts, the premiere of MAQ’s Say That You Love Me is one for the record books. Not only is it the first ever premiere and debut (of leading lady Jennylyn Mercado) in the history of Philippine cinema. It is also the most well-attended movie events in SM Megamall history. Every single space a human being could occupy on the first three floors of Megamall Building A was brimming with friends, family, and fans of the cast and staff of Say That You Love Me. The size of the crowd that turned out for Jennylyn’s debut and the premiere of Say That You Love Me is unprecedented, declares producer Mother Lily Monteverde, "I’ve never seen a crowd this huge. There were also dozens of stars who showed up. It looked like an awards night."

Still basking from the glow of the most ambitious premiere nigt ever mounted, Mother Lily’s daugter, producer Roselle Monteverde-Teo, adds, "We consider ourselves so blessed thhat a record-breaking number of people showed up for the double celebration. Jennylyn was visibly moved by the love and support fans, friends, and family sowered her. And just when we thought the evening couldn’t get any better, we started hhearing the reactions of the audience to our movie after the screening."

"Sobrang ganda! Nakakakilig. Da best! Nakakaiyak! Bagay na bagay talaga sina Mark at Jennylyn! Ang sarap ulitin! Nakaka-in-love! Grabe ang halikan sa ending!"

Such were the oft-repeated reactions to Say That You Love Me which delighted fans uttered as they left the theater. Many Female viewers were caught dabbing their tear-soaked eyes with issue as the house lights came on at the end. Says supervising producer Manny Valera, "We knew we had a winner when some members of the MTRCB’s reviewing panel told us that Say That You Love Me ad moved them to tears. We are overjoyed that the thousands of people who saw tonight’s preview were also emotionally affected by the movie’s finale. There’s nothing like a movie that makes you cry tears of joy at the end and makes you realize how wonderful it is to be in love."

The stars of the film, real-life lovebirds Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado say they couldn’t have asked for a better reaction to their launching movie as leading man and lady. "Nabawasan na ng konti ang kaba namin dahil sobrang ganda talaga ng movie," says Mark, "Sana suportahan ng mga hindi nakapanood sa pelikula ngayon."

"Overwhelmed talaga ako sa mga pangyayari ngayong gabi," says debutant Jennylyn Mercado, who looked stunning in her Rajo Laurel gown, "Para talaga akong prinsesa sa fairy tale na binigyan ng wishes na nagkatotoo lahat."

Jennylyn was so elated, enthralled and exhausted by the countless congratulations she received for the movie and for her debut that she did what any Cinderella-like princess would do under the same circumstances: disappear just before the stroke of midnight.

Sources tell us, however, that Jennylyn, her Prince Mark and other close friends and family members had an intimate, post-premiere bash at the Shangri-La Edsa Plaza Hotel. Now that’s something that not even Disney’s Cinderella had the opportunity to do.

A beautiful story about the power of wishing and the pull of romantic destiny, Say That You Love Me is a MAQ Productions directed by Mac Alejandre and written by Robert Joseph Nuevas and Suzette Doctolero. It stars Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Herras, Nadine Samonte, Tyron Perez, Cristine Reyes, Benj Pacia, Megan Young, Jake Cuenca, Joel Torre, Tonton Gutierrez, Reggie Curley and Jean Garcia.

Say That You Love Me is presented in cooperation wit Bambini baby lotion, Summit natural drinking water, Virgin Cola, GMA New Media, LG Electronics and Love Radio 90.7. It is now showing in your favorite theaters nationwide.