Love in the time of social networking

MANILA, Philippines - In this day and age of modern technology and social media, majority tend to view such basic emotion as love as something complicated when in fact, it is not.

As the timeless adage goes, “Love conquers all.”

Regal Entertainment, Inc.’s upcoming offering, aptly titled, Status: It’s Complicated, delves into the universal subject and dares to defy widely-accepted notions on love, sex and relationships.

Earmaked for a Nov. 6 release, Status: It’s Complicated is loosely based on and inspired by the Ishmael Bernal classic, Salawahan, shown in the early ’80s with the late Jay Ilagan, Mat Ranillo III, Sandy Andolong and Rio Locsin in the cast.

Says Chris Martinez of his latest directorial job, “It’s about relationships, courtships. Napapanahon pa rin siya. Ginawa namin na mas-hip, mas-contemporary. Siyempre, iba na ang mga artista, mas masaya at mas-modern.”

Direk Chris admits having deep admiration for Bernal and his works, especially those that bordered on both serious and fun.

He himself has a long line of successful films to his credit as writer/director.

Some of Chris’ blockbuster works include Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme, Shake, Rattle & Roll XIII’s Rain Rain Go Away episode, Temptation Island, My Valentine Girls, Here Comes the Bride and 100.

As a writer, the UP-educated playwright was the genius behind such noteworthy movies as Instant Mommy, Kimmy Dora and the Temple of Kiyeme, Shake, Rattle & Roll XIII’s Rain Rain Go Away episode, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank, Temptation Island, Kimmy Dora: Kambal sa Kiyeme, Caregiver, Sukob, Bikini Open and Bridal Shower, among many others.

In Status: It’s Complicated, meanwhile, Manny (Jake) and Jerry (Paulo) have been best buddies and housemates for years. They are so different, especially where heart matters are concerned.

Manny (the character originally played by Mat) is a chef gifted with good looks and ripped abs. He believes that love, like sex, is something shared with as many girls as possible.

Jerry, meanwhile, is a dorky-but-cute graphic designer who thinks love is something sacred and should be taken seriously with someone special.

By some stroke of fate, Manny and Jerry decide to swap lifestyles in order to prove whose theory is better or right.

Yet by another unexpected twist, Manny unexpectedly falls hard for Rina (Maja), a conservative hot babe who would not have any of his romantic or sexual advances.

And so, Manny ends up being a one-woman man.

Jerry, on the other hand, gets his hands (and body) dirty with two of his favored clients — Sylvia (Solenn), a foreign-educated fashion designer, and Marian (Eugene), a well-educated sexologist.

As Manny and Jerry compare notes about their lifestyle experiment, they discover and end up having love and sex lives intertwined with each other as a result of their serious involvement with the three women.

Complications naturally arise, but only as far as all of them can handle. Love triumphs in the end.

Fun-filled and feel-good, Status: It’s Complicated is one movie that will change today’s generation’s take on love, sex and relationship when it opens in local theaters Nov. 6.

For a sneak peek at the film’s trailer, visit Status: It’s Complicated Facebook fan page and Regal Films’ Twitter and YouTube accounts.