Rum and romance in ‘I’m Drunk, I Love You’

CEBU, Philippines - Kapamilya stars Maja Salvador and Paulo Avelino reunite in the big screen via the offbeat romantic comedy “I’m Drunk, I Love You,” which will open in cinemas this Wednesday, February 15.

The award-winning pair first worked together in the 2013 film “Status: It’s Complicated” and in the 2015 primetime series “Bridges of Love.”

TBA Productions’ “I’m Drunk, I Love You” revolves around two friends Carson and Dio played by Maja and Paulo, respectively. Carson is a carefree college lass, who, for seven years, secretly harbors romantic feelings towards her best friend Dio, a film student.

“Si Carson, hindi ‘yung usual character na napapanood niyo sa isang film. Kaya ko tinanggap ito kasi at least na-experience ko kung paano malasing at maging lasenggera,” the “Wildflower” star said during a recent press conference at Pino Restaurant in Lahug, Cebu City.

“Ang dapat abangan dito ay kung paano siya makaka-graduate sa college at kung paano siya makaka-graduate sa feelings niya sa kanyang best friend. I’m happy kasi this is my second indie film,” continued Maja, who won best actress trophies at the Star Awards and Golden Screen Awards for her performance in her first indie film “Thelma.”

Paulo, who was 2016 Gawad Tanglaw best drama actor for “Bridges of Love,” emphasized that aside from his interest in the character and excitement at being able to work with Maja again, the need to support neophyte and small independent film outfits also inspired him to do the movie.

“I think we need to support Filipino films more than we support foreign films. That’s why I accepted this project because I believe in its quality. There are a lot of genius Filipino filmmakers out there na magaganda ‘yung mga obra nila na kailangan lang talaga natin suportahan,” says Paulo, a co-producer of “I’m Drunk, I Love You.”

The tandem’s favorite scene is the one with Carson singing her heart out in “Huling Gabi” while Dio is watching her and is feeling nostalgic listening to the lyrics of the song. The scene happened during a road trip to La Union where they decided to settle how they feel for each other once and for all. Along the way, they discover the complicated circumstances about their relationship and uncover a lot of peculiarities about themselves.

JP Habac, the film’s director and co-writer, said that the title of the movie is actually a line his female friend uttered while they were having a drinking session. That female friend also happens to be one of the movie’s producers.

Produced by TBA (Tuko Film Productions, Buchi Boy Entertainment, and Artikulo Uno Productions), the film features songs popularized by Juan Miguel Severo, Kai Honasan, Jimmy Bondoc, Parokya ni Edgar, Cynthia Alexander, 3D (Johnoy Danao, Ebe Dancel, Bulit Dumas), Shirebound and Busking, Out of Body Special, and Ang Bandang Shirley.

Joining Maja and Paulo in “I’m Drunk, I Love You” are Dominic Roco, Jasmine Curtis-Smith with the special participations of Jim Paredes and Irma Adlawan.

Meanwhile, TBA chief executive producer E.A. Rocha announced that along with “I’m Drunk, I Love You,” the bonus film “Angelito” will also be shown.”

“Angelito,” a 20-minute film, is the spinoff of the sequel of the award-winning “Heneral Luna.” Its story is based loosely on past real-life events, picking up on the lives of Antonio Luna's aides-de-camp Jose and Manuel Bernal.

In TBA’s official statement, he said: “Filipinos deserve to see good, quality movies. Come February 15, for a single ticket price, they’re going to see not just one, but two beautiful, memorable films – ‘I’m Drunk, I Love You’ and ‘Angelito.’”

“This is just one of the many ways we can show how proud and thankful we are for making ‘Heneral Luna’ one of the biggest historical films in Philippine cinema,” he added.

TBA is also the producer of the MMFF 2016 Best Picture “Sunday Beauty Queen.” It is also producing the upcoming movie “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral,” the story of Filipino hero Gregorio del Pilar played by Paulo, who will begin filming this April. (FREEMAN)