Direk Cathy is 'officially single'

Taking a cue from the title of her latest directorial job, Star Cinema’s Valentine offering Unofficially Yours starring John Lloyd Cruz and Angel Locsin, Funfare asked direk Cathy Garcia-Molina what her status is. Without batting an eyelash, she said, laughing, “Officially single!”

Cathy was widowed three years ago when her husband, Epoy Molina (who used to work at ABS-CBN), died in Baguio when he lost control of his mountain bike and hit a tree. The tragedy radically changed the way Cathy looked at life.

“Life is indeed too short, so we should enjoy every moment of it,” said Cathy.

Unofficially Yours is a bit more daring than Cathy’s previous movies which were mostly about innocent love. In the story, John Lloyd plays an apprentice in a newspaper with Angel the senior lifestyle writer who mentors him. Between deadlines, they resume having rendezvous after having previously met in a one-night stand.

“It’s about time I gave the audience something new,” said Cathy. “I can’t get stuck in romance-comedy. But it’s not really a very bold step because I also have to think of how the MTRCB will react to the movie.”

Cathy has worked with John Lloyd in several movies and it’s her first time to direct Angel in a movie (although she directed in the ABS-CBN fantaserye Lobo). How was Cathy able to convince them to do the sexy scenes?

“I didn’t surprise them on the set. When I do a movie, story conference pa lang my stars are already informed about the scenes. John Lloyd and Angel knew that it’s an adult movie at mas marami silang gagawin more than what we have done before. On the set, I explain to them what I have in mind and they are free to give suggestions. My stars just have to trust me. I wouldn’t do anything na mababastos sila.”

After she shot John Lloyd and Angel’s major love scene, Cathy edited it and showed it to them. They saw that it was done in good taste.

Having worked in six other films (Close To You, One More Chance, A Very Special Love, You Changed My Life, Miss You Like Crazy and My Amnesia Girl), Cathy has developed a symbiotic working relationship with John Lloyd.

“He was only 14 when I first worked with him. He has become better and better because habang tumatanda ang isang tao, mas marami nang napagdaanan at mas malalim ang pinaghuhugutan. He’s now 28 and I’m into my early 40s. It’s hard to motivate an actor na wala pang masyadong experience sa buhay. Para kaming nag-meet in our 30s, so mas madali kaming mag-usap.”

Same with Angel.

“What I like about Angel is that she’s very open. I encourage my actors to ask questions because that way alam kong nag-iisip sila. Even before I met her, I knew already that Angel had gone through a lot. The only difference is that I’ve known John Lloyd longer.”

Unofficially Yours is Cathy’s third movie (following My Amnesia Girl and Forever And A Day) after she lost her husband by whom she has two kids, one aged six and the other five.

“As I’ve said, his death made me realize how short life is. It taught me to live life fully day by day. But it doesn’t mean that I don’t think of the future. I just make sure that I won’t have any regret later. Also, I would never question God for anything. His will be done.”

So Cathy is “officially single.” But is she available?

Cathy burst into laughter.

“Available, ‘ika nga!”

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