Another love story from direk Maryo

MANILA, Philippines - He debuted as a film director in 1978 with High School Circa ’65, which merited several nominations from different award-giving bodies. Now, after 31 years, Maryo J. de los Reyes continues to be one of the most active directors both on TV and the big screen. He’s directing the hit Carla Abellana-Geoff Eigenmann soap on GMA 7, Rosalinda, and now launching to big screen stardom the hot teen love team of Aljur Abrenica and Kris Bernal in the romantic Regal Entertainment offering, Nandito Ako, Nagmamahal Sa’Yo.

“I really enjoy working with today’s most promising young stars like Carla and Geoff, Aljur and Kris as they are full of energy and hope,” he says. “When you work with them, their youth and enthusiasm can be contagious.”

Mother Lily says it’s him who gave her the idea to launch the Aljur-Kris love team in Nandito Ako. “I saw their potential when I directed them in Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin, a soap shown in the afternoon but got such high ratings more fit for a primetime show. They have a big following at masarap silang idirek kasi magaan silang dalhin. They’re also determined, pursigido to succeed and most of all, they have great chemistry on screen kaya kinikilig ang fans.”

In Nandito Ako, Aljur plays a poor boy from Manila whose mom, Anna Capri, earns a living by selling medicinal herbs in Quiapo Church. Anna crosses a syndicate boss in Quiapo, so they go hiding in Bohol, where Anna reveals that Aljur’s biological father lives, Lloyd Samartino, who won’t believe that Aljur is really his son. They have a DNA test and it’s established that Lloyd is really Aljur’s father.

While in Bohol, Aljur meets a pretty girl who’s a balikbayan from the States, Kris. He falls for her and she’s also attracted to him, but the problem is Kris is already engaged to be married to Baron Geisler who she met in the US. To make things more complicated, Baron is also the son of Lloyd, so he and Aljur are half brothers.

“It’s a beautiful story that is not only about the love affair of Aljur and Kris but also about intricate family relationships,” says direk Maryo.

Why did he choose to film the movie on location in Bohol? “First, for the sake of expediency. Aljur and Kris have so many commitments here in Manila and each time may shooting, mahirap sila ipatawag. So we stayed in Bohol for about two weeks para madali silang tawagin each time may shooting. There’s also no red tape as the Bohol provincial officials were very cooperative and we can shoot anywhere easily. Tuloy-tuloy ang trabaho namin and we were able to finish the film right on schedule. Also, I’m from Bohol and I want to showcase the beauty of my home province. We feature in Nandito Ako all the beautiful spots in Bohol like Panglao Beach, Hinagdanan Cave, the Loboc River Cruise, the historic Baclayon Church, Maribojoc Mangrove Farm, the Tarsier Sanctuary, and of course, the fabulous Chocolate Hills. We also employed Boholanos to be part of the cast and the staff. Lutgardo Labad, a Boholano, is our musical scorer and we also used the world renowned Loboc Choir in the movie.”

Do Aljur and Kris deliver? “Most certainly. Kahit bata pa sila, they’re already good actors. They’re like sponge that absorb all your instructions easily kaya madaling turuan. It helped na comfortable na kami with each other after working on TV. Everything I told them to do, they complied with, like I asked Kris to don a bikini and Aljur, swimming trunks, in our beach scene, and they did. They’re both very sexy... oozing with the exuberance of youth. I asked Jake Tordesillas to write a beautiful script tailormade for them, with all the usual kilig moments to thrill viewers, and it all came out perfectly on screen. It’s a very glossy production and viewers will fall in love all over again when they watch Nandito Ako. I also assembled a fine ensemble of actors to support them. Aside from Anna, Baron and Lloyd, we also have Valeen Montenegro as Kris’ cousin and wedding planner, Julio Diaz as Kris’ dad, Anton Bernardo, Gerald Madrid, and we’re introducing Dean Pastrano, son of Al Quinn.”

Nandito Ako, Nagmamahal Sa’Yo opens Sept. 30 in theaters nationwide with premiere night at SM Megamall tomorrow, Sept. 27.