My ‘First Love at 40!’ experience

MANILA, Philippines — I had a pretty unforgettable birthday this year when on the eve of my 40th birthday, I received word from my management team in Manila, Genesis Entertainment, that I was confirmed to leave for Vancouver to do a Paul Soriano film project, title unknown at the time. I had made plans with my family to celebrate my birthday that day but when the opportunity arose, my family literally decided for me to reschedule my birthday plans.

The details of the job were very vague besides the fact that it was an Aga (Muhlach)-Bea (Alonzo) project. Learning I would be playing a mother role, which I am to 13 and 11 year olds, I asked who would be playing my son. Production mentioned a young actor named Edward Barber. I simply asked how old he was, to make sure I didn’t give birth to him at 10 and that being his mother was a realistic role I could sink my teeth into.

...with Aga Muhlach...

To be offered to do a cameo on this project, flying from Los Angeles to Vancouver felt unbelievably surreal. The flight from California was barely three hours to Canada and I was not only excited to be on the set again acting as much as I was to discover a new place. I had only been to Toronto in the late ‘90s to attend the Toronto Film Festival so going to Vancouver was pretty exciting.

Stage director and Atlantis Production’s Bobby Garcia was in town, too, so the prospect to be able to work again, acting, and be able to sightsee in a new town while catching up with a dear friend felt like such a blessing I was surely not going to pass up. Plus, I would be able to work again with Aga whom I had the privilege of working with on screen in our much younger years during my Regal days.

Arriving at the Lonsdale Quay Market in Northern Vancouver for filming felt very international. Overlooking the skyline of the city, the views displayed Vancouver in a romantic sort of fashion and when dusk approached, the twinkling of the lights added to the magic that the camera was bound to capture.

...and with Edward Barber.

The light that lit up the cosmopolitan yet green views stretched late into the night as we filmed a pivotal part of the characters arc in the film. Unfortunately, we were unable to wrap the scene. I had to fly back from that trip to Los Angeles as I had an ABC casting audition the following day for its Diversity Showcase. Three days later, I was informed I would be flying back to Vancouver again. Imagine my luck!

So off I went, where I got to gallivant a new city by foot in search of the Lululemon lab, met actors I had never worked with, like the sweet Bea and the budding actor Edward and reunite with Aga on set. I spent my 40th rekindling my passion for acting and being on a set helmed by Paul was refreshing from many of the film sets I had been on in the Philippines because of effortless vibe. Soft spoken but with authority, his vision of creating First Love will give audiences a breathtaking love story unlike any other Philippine film you’ve seen. Screenings are worldwide and in the United States and Canada. Follow me on Instagram @gtongi and for comments, reactions and thoughts on the film.