More than friends, less than lovers

She calls him Manzano; he calls her Nippy. But neither Anne Curtis nor Luis Manzano will say why.

For one thing, it’s not – as others would think – a sign of disrespect to him. It is, in fact, a term of endearment.

So what’s the real score?

"More than friends, less than lovers," Anne defines their relationship.

"It’s more than M.U. (mutual understanding). I can’t flirt with other girls while she can’t entertain suitors," counters Luis.

He shows just how deep their relationship has gone: "I named a folder in my laptop The Two Women in My Life. In it is a picture of my mom (Vilma Santos) and Nippy."

The message is clear: after his mom, Anne is the most important woman in Luis’ life. She’s so special Luis says not hearing from her or talking to her for a day is "weird."

And making her cry is the last thing on his mind. Bringing a smile on her face has become routine to him.

Luis even told Anne, "I don’t want to see you cry. If you do, they should only be tears of joy."

But take note, they refuse to call each other sweethearts. They almost became one - twice. But something went wrong somewhere, says Luis. Just what it was, the two are tight-lipped again.

But the spark is palpable – in the way Luis and Anne look at each other; touch each other lightly on the arm, smile at each other.

They don’t have to pretend they have eyes only for each other, especially in their new starrer, All About Love.

The Star Cinema trilogy casts them as an odd pair whose worlds are as far apart as heaven and hell. Anne plays the humble Badong. She plies the city streets as a kutsera.

Luis’ character Wesley, on the other hand, comes from a world only Badong can only dream of. He is the playboy grandson of an ex-President.

Like Luis, Wesley is witty, jolly and used to the good life. His role is second nature to him. That’s why, unlike first-time movie actors like Luis (All About Love is his film debut), he didn’t have a hard time playing the part.

Vilma and dad Edu Manzano will be happy to know Luis’ director, Joyce Bernal, says he didn’t give her headaches on the set.

Luis took Vilma’s advice to heart. She just told him, "Do your work well." And he did his best.

So proud is Luis of his work he will gladly take the whole family to see All About Love and let them judge him by themselves.

Will he be as successful in his crossover from TV (he teamed up with Anne in the defunct fantaserye Kampanerang Kuba) to movies?

The public will hand in their verdict starting May 31, when the movie – Star Cinema’s 13th anniversary offering – debuts in Metro theaters.