‘3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion’ is more than just a friendship film

MANILA, Philippines — More than just a movie about friendship, director RC delos Reyes’ film “3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion” under Black Cap Pictures also tackles romantic relationships, personal ambitions, and the changes that life brings.

Now showing in theaters nationwide, the rom-com drama stars JM de Guzman (as Javi) who gets entangled in a love triangle with childhood best friends, Jasmine Curtis-Smith’s Gabbi and Barbie Imperial’s Charlie. They go on an adventure in the streets of Poblacion, Makati City, for three days and two nights.

“It’s about change,” asserted direk RC in an interview. He and the Black Cap Pictures conceptualized the movie in 2022 with friendship as the main theme, set in one of the most happening places in Makati City.

Direk RC drew inspiration from his friends and the people who came into his life. He particularly chose Poblacion as the location of the film because, as someone who grew up in Mandaluyong, near Makati, Poblacion for him depicts one’s ambitions and dreams.

“It’s my first time for me to really do a movie, set in Makati, because it talks about dreams (and) ambitions. That’s why it was incorporated into Barbie and Jasmine’s (respective) characters that sometimes we have friends with the same ambitions. But growing up, nagkaka-iba,” he told this paper.

What direk RC loved about the story is the realization that “no matter what or whatever change you both go through, a real friend will always stay there and true.”

He added, “And because change is part of our lives, it’s OK, it’s fine, we all grow up and we have to accept that.”

Director RC delos Reyes says ‘3 Days 2 Nights in Poblacion’ is ‘not just about friendship but also about people that pass through one’s life journey.’

Jasmine, for her part, told The STAR in an e-mail interview that she accepted this project because of the story and the theme of the film.

“The title itself was so inviting, then upon learning the story, I knew this would be great material to work on my other acting muscles. I’m usually in heavy drama about family, self or romantic relationships, so it was a nice change of scenery to work on friendships. Plus, I got to work with direk RC again, my director from ‘Alter Me!’”

Except for the love triangle part, Jasmine was able to relate to her role as Gabbi, “a popular prom queen type who peaked in high school,” because she had friends whom she left behind in Manila when she moved back to Australia at age 11.

“It was tough dealing with that but hey life makes you stronger!” she said.

On the takeaways from the film, she had this to share: “When you know how to love, support and care for yourself then those relationships that truly matter in life, will learn how to do the same for you. Just never forget that it goes both ways!”

Barbie, on the other hand, who portrays the “cool and cosmopolitan” Charlie, said, “I think I can relate dun sa part na mag-best friends, tapos nagkagusto yung close ko sa partner ko. Which for me, is a big no.”

“This film reminds us why friendship is more important than love. Not only that, there are also a lot of other learnings from the film,” the actress added.