What makes the Erich-Enchong loveteam tick?

MANILA, Philippines - You have to be a movie fan to spot what makes a loveteam tick.

“It takes one to know one,” said Malou Santos, managing director of Star Cinema, the Home of Wholesome Entertainment, which has groomed today’s most exciting loveteams, from Aga Muhlach with different leading ladies (Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, Angelica Panganiban, Claudine Barretto, et al) to Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa, Sam Milby and Toni Gonzaga, John Lloyd Cruz and Sarah Geronimo, John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo, Kim Chiu and Gerald Anderson, KC Concepcion and Richard Gutierrez, Angelica Panganiban and Derek Ramsay, etc.

“I’m a movie fan myself,” added Malou like her sister Charo Santos-Concio, ABS-CBN lady boss, was fan at heart.

That’s why Malou was honored when Vilma, The Star For All Seasons, did four movies for Star Cinema, all moneymakers — Anak, Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa, Dekada 70 and the recent one, made in the USA, In My Life co-starring Vilma’s own son Luis Manzano and John Lloyd Cruz.

“I know what tickles the heart of a movie fan,” said Malou who swore that she’ll remain as fan forever. How can she tell if a loveteam is a good match? “There’s really no fixed formula. It’s like when one discovers a star. There’s that unexplainable X-factor. A good match probably means that, first, both stars are good actors; the partnership should be able to transcend genres; they are effective in drama, comedy, light romance, etc. Both stars should be driven and be united in the vision of where they will take their partnership.”

Now come Erich Gonzales and Enchong Dee who are paired in Star Cinema’s I Do, showing starting Sept. 29, which is a romance-drama about how love binds two young people of opposing beliefs and how their love gets entwined with destiny, decisions and choices towards a greater love way beyond anyone could dream of.

“I had the gut feeling that Erich and Enchong are a good match when I saw them in the teleserye Katorse, and then in Tanging Yaman and Magkaribal. May chemistry ‘yung dalawa. You just can’t miss it. They look good together, they enjoy what they’re doing and they are good at what they’re doing. They are both driven to succeed. They act really well and I think they will really make it.”

Asked how she builds up a loveteam, Malou said, “Television is always almost all the time the springboard. If the audience embraces the loveteam, it is when we take them to the movies.”

And that’s where the Enchong-Erich loveteam is headed for — from the small screen to the big screen.

Directed by Veronica Velasco (of the award-winning indies Prinsesa, Last Supper Number 3, Maling Akala and Inang Yaya) from a screenplay she co-wrote with Jinky Laurel, I Do also stars Pokwang, Dennis Padilla, Janus del Prado, Nash Aguas, Ricardo Cepeda, Isay Alvarez, Jun Urbano, Eliza Pineda, Alwyn Uytingco, Jane Oneiza, Allyson Lualhati, Che Ramos and Joyce So, with Melai Cantiveros being introduced.