Is romance for the young? It’s a notion often fed to us by series and movies, and other forms of storytelling. But Gina Alajar and Ricky Davao’s romantic-comedy Monday First Screening tells audiences that it’s never too late to experience romance.
Lydia (Gina) and Bobby (Ricky) are two senior citizens who find love again while attending the first screening of free movies every Monday, a privilege given by some malls to moviegoers 60 years and above.
It was an immediate yes for these veteran actors-directors to accept the project directed by Benedict Mique, the first movie venture of NET25 that opens in 100 cinemas nationwide today.
During an exclusive chat with The Philippine STAR, both acknowledged that at their age — Gina is 64, while Ricky is 62 — leading roles don’t come by as often.
“Usually, it’s the nanay or tatay roles, or in my case, lola roles or fierce mother-in-law in dramas. So to be offered a movie where you are the lead and the story centers on senior citizens, aba maganda!” said Gina.
Ricky added, “Although it was my first time working with director Benedict Mique, I got excited because I’ve heard good things about him and his past films... Nakakatuwa kasi they waited for us, they really wanted us for the film. Nakakataba ng puso.”
The actor also loved the fact that he was working with his long-time friend and now “love team” partner Gina. Monday First Screening couldn’t have picked a more fitting pairing than Gina and Ricky who have known each other since they were teens.
“As in si Ricky, he was still wearing clogs and bell bottoms. The first time we met, we became friends immediately. No more first impressions, it was an instant hello and we became barkada right away,” Gina recalled.
Ricky also said, “When I was first introduced to Gina, I wasn’t an actor yet. Of course, I was aware of her. I’m a fan of Filipino films and I’ve watched her films. Bata palang siya, premyadong actress na.”
He further shared how they became close. “Kasi naging barkada ko ang mga Eigenmann brothers. I would go to their house, and we would go out. I even attended Gina’s wedding in Greenhills at Sanctuario de San Jose… Clear sa akin kasi kasama ko yung first girlfriend ko, I was in fourth year high school, and I really saved up for my taxi fare so I could attend her wedding.”
“It was just a small affair and he was among the few who were invited so we’re really kind of close. From the beginning, we’re close already,” said Gina. “And it stayed all throughout these years. Nagkaroon ng asawa, mga anak, apo… now, puti na buhok namin, but the friendship remains. ‘Pag kasama kami sa projects, masaya pa rin.”
Another big reason they were attracted to First Monday Screening was because of its unique story.
It’s not a novel concept but it’s a rarity that “mature love” is tackled in a TV show or movie and moreso, given a rom-com treatment.
“Usually stories about senior citizens have heavier themes kasi may mamatay na, may sakit or nanaginip na pupunta na sila sa langit or whatever,” said Gina.
“So ngayon lang nagkaroon ng parang there’s a love interest, it’s a rom-com and ang babaduy ng mga linya! From the trailer alone, people find it cute because mga baduy yung mga pick-up lines ni Ricky Davao. Natuwa siguro yung mga tao that’s why it became trending as we say it now,” she added.
For Ricky, more stories like this deserve to be told.
“Dito sa atin medyo ang love stories na pinapalabas puro about young love. We tend to forget that there are love stories for the middle aged and for seniors, which sometimes are more interesting, more loving and siguro more kilig,” he said.
“May mga nababasa nga ako na nag-meet in their 90s tapos nagkatuluyan. Iisipin mo paano nangyari yun? Anong gagawin nila, ano pinag-uusapan nila, paano nila inaalagaan ang isa’t isa? Paano ang romance sa kanila? Pero pwede mangyari.”
Gina noted that even senior citizens who attended the advance screening were thrilled because it gave them hope.
And when it comes to finding love at this age, Gina pointed at Ricky as the best person to be asked this question.
“Yes, I think you can find love at whatever age. Lalo na sa katulad ko na been there and done that hahaha! Marami ng karanasan, marami ng love and heartaches na napagdaanan, in other words, battle-tested. Pero ang puso kasi kahit gaano ka durog yan or kahit gaano kasaya, open talaga para ma-in love.”
In fact, “senior’s love” is what surprised him the most about being a senior citizen.
“Nung malapit na ako mag senior, nag-iisip ako kung makaka-meet pa ba ako ng ka-age ko, younger or older sa akin? Will I still meet my partner? Sabi nga nila, kahit companionship nalang, ‘di ba? Pero, na-prove ko na pag naka-meet ka ng somebody, you will change and it will open things in your system, maybe not only physical, but also mental and emotional…
“Before I was scared of the thought that when you get to a certain age, you will be tired and wasted. But hindi pala ganun… Of course, ‘pag sinabi na senior, maraming sakit. It’s really true hahaha! But there’s a way to handle those things — maintenance, exercise — so help yourself, exercise…
“(And) siguro yung pagiging in love mo will also be a maintenance for all your sicknesses, hahaha! In my case, when I see my partner, my girlfriend, I’m excited and gumanda naman yung pakiramdam ko,” said the actor, who quipped he would recommend it to Gina.
For Gina, however, she differs from her good friend in the sense that she’s no longer thinking if there’s someone out there for her after her first marriage. “In fact, ang iniisip ko, siguro wala na kasi diyan nag-uumpisa na sabihin nila amoy lupa ka na ‘di ba? ‘Hay nako, tanders na yan, amoy lupa na yan.’ Kaya ayoko mapag-bintangan ng ganun hahaha!”
Nevertheless, Gina believes love can happen to anyone regardless of age. “Pwede naman talaga mangyari yun. It would be lovely if there is a Bobby out there who’s meant for me. The tagline after the screening was ‘Search for Bobby.’
“If a Bobby comes along, why not? Someone who’s going to be devoted to me, who’s going to love me more than I love myself, why not? If there’s such a person like that. But if he’s old and still problematic, and I don’t see a future with him, what for? I’m too old to have love problems,” she laughed.
Gina is also not one to be afraid of aging even when she was younger. She’s now relishing all the benefits of being a senior’s citizen, particularly discounts on restaurants, medicines, groceries and airfare, as well as free parking. Her “fear as a senior,” however, is that “it’s more evident na konti nalang yung taon na ni-lo-look forward ko… like you know, I’m thinking, I’m 64, plus another 10 years, I’m 74, right?
“We don’t know what will happen within those 10 years… So nandun lang yung thoughts ko. That’s why every day is a blessing, when you wake up and you’re still alive. As the Bible says, teach us to number our days para magawa ko ang nararapat kong gawin. So just be happy in whatever circumstances you are.”
The happy, feel-good feeling is what the actress wants audiences to have when they leave the theaters. “I want them to feel good kasi maganda yung napanood nila, that we made them laugh, fall in love and feel kilig. That they have something to talk about for the rest of the day after leaving the cinema,” she said.
Ricky, on the other hand, reminded the senior citizens: “Siempre gamitin nila ang senior card nila para makalibre! Pero isama nila ang kanilang buong pamilya para sabay-sabay mag-enjoy. I think if they already have someone in their lives, they will be inspired to strengthen the relationship when they watch the film. But if they have no one, ‘wag naman sila maghanap kaagad hahaha!
“(This film shows that) there’s a possibility they will meet someone even when they’re not looking. Kasi baka dahil sa movie, maghanap sila at kami pa masisi hahaha. But, I think, they will be entertained.”
Nevertheless, he stressed that while Monday First Screening is focused on their characters’ love story, it’s “for everybody.” There are side stories and subplots about family and even rights of senior citizens that “need to be enhanced” or looked into like the right retirement age.
“And we’ve heard retirement being described as a death sentence,” Ricky said. “But no, you don’t stop there. You don’t stop living. Even if you’re 70 and 80, you can still enjoy, go out and meet friends.”