Working together in steamy films deepens AJ Raval & Sean De Guzman’s friendship

After working on a couple of Vivamax films together, sexy stars AJ Raval and Sean De Guzman have become comfortable doing steamy scenes and developed a deep level of friendship in real life. In fact, they spent Christmas together last year and talked about their career goals for the new year.

The two have built a “solid” foundation of friendship, on- and off-cam, said Sean during the virtual media conference for their sexy crime movie Hugas, their third film as a pair, following Taya and Nerisa.

“Sa mga maiinit na eksena, hindi na kami talaga naiilang. Kung magkakitaan man kami ng kung anu-anong parte ng katawan namin, wala na kaming pakialam po dun. Everything turns out well naman,” revealed Sean.

AJ added that they are comfortable with each other doing daring love scenes. “Hindi na kami nagkakahiyaan, so mas lalong naging deep yung bonding namin, yung samahan namin. Yung ginawa namin na mga love scenes, nandun talaga yung love,” she said.

But, of course, AJ and Sean had also their own share of some sort of minor “sibling fights” despite their closeness.

There was an instance where they offended each other on set but would reconcile afterwards. “May eksena po kami na parang magkaaway kami talaga sa eksena. Nagkamali ako sa first take, Sean told me, ‘OK lang yan. It’s your fault naman.’ He said that to me in a sarcastic tone. Tapos, napikon ako. I said to him, ‘Bakit? Superstar, ka ba?’” shared AJ.

“We know each other’s secrets, we talk about our problems. We would also comfort each other (in times of need). We are really just friends,” she added.

Last Christmas, the co-actors shared about how they dream that someday their acting skills would be recognized by award-giving bodies, more than their sexy roles.

“Hindi lang sa pagpapa-sexy. We also chatted about our acting skills. We really prepared for Hugas. Direk Roman Perez Jr. was there to guide us, para ma-improve yung talent and acting skills namin. Gusto din po namin na ma-recognize na magaling din po kaming umarte. Si Sean sobrang galing po niyan,” stated AJ.

Sean also aspires that he would be acknowledged for his artistry in acting or to be nominated in a prestigious film festival.

Moreover, AJ admitted that she was uncomfortable when she saw her sexy self on screen in her first film.

“Medyo hindi ko pa po tinatanggap yung pagpapa-sexy sa sarili ko. I would still deny it. Parang, ‘Hindi po ako ganun.’ Nandun po yung words na yun ‘pag baguhan ka, eh,” uttered AJ. But now that she has done numerous flicks, she was able to appreciate the efforts and feedback coming from the directors, her manager and Viva’s big bosses of her acting performance.

Loaded with fight scenes, AJ was very proud to show Hugas to her dad, action star Jeric Raval. “Malakas naman loob ko na ipanood ko siya sa tatay ko. He was happy about it. It’s like this is the first time that he felt proud of all the projects I’ve done. Because this is an action movie, sinuportahan naman ng tatay ko. And his feedback is very important to me.”

AJ was also grateful that she had worked with direk Roman Perez Jr. again and noted that doing an action-packed movie was a dream come true for her.

Sean, on the other hand, would watch his previous films to critique his acting chops. “Pinapanood ko siya dahil para makita ko kung ano yung kulang pa, kung ano pa yung pwede pang mabago at yung mga pangit na nakikita sa screen. I would criticize myself.”

He also valued the feedback he would receive from veteran actors, directors and his friends.

“Sobrang gaan ng loob namin kay direk Roman. He is friendly and one would feel the concept of family on set with direk,” said Sean of Hugas director, who is one of the busiest directors in Viva.

Meanwhile, AJ would like to focus on self-love and self-improvement this year and leave things behind in 2021.

“Siguro yung mga nangyari sa akin, gusto ko ng iwan yun. May mga natutunan din po ako dahil po sa nangyari nung mga nakaraaan,” said AJ.

She disclosed that she is taking a social media detox for her mental health. “Nag-cle-cleansing po ako for my mental health. (I’m warding off) negative (vibes) so parang ‘naghuhugas’ din po ako dun. Siguro pagdating ng 2022, wala na po ako sigurong social media,” she declared.

Hugas also stars Jay Manalo, Joko Diaz, Cara Gonzales, Deberly Bancore, Bob Jbeili and Stephanie Raz. As per synopsis, Hugas tells the story of ex-gang members and newlyweds Al (played by Sean) and Liezl (AJ), who run away with a big bag of cash, but their ex-boss will go to the ends of the earth to find them.

(Hugas will stream this Jan. 14 on Vivamax).