Piolo Pascual, Belle Mariano, Joshua Garcia and Juan Karlos with director Cathy Garcia-Sampana. MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- ABS-CBN Films on Monday officially announced that their upcoming project family drama “Meet, Greet and Bye” will be top-billed by Piolo Pascual, Belle Mariano, Juan Karlos and Joshua Garcia.
This top-tier cast will also be joined by the Diamond Star Maricel Soriano, under the direction of Cathy Garcia-Sampana.
ABS-CBN News was exclusively invited to the look test of the project and Sampana shared a few details about the film.
“This movie is very close to my heart. Sabi ko nga, this movie will be my love letter to my children as this might be the love letter of all parents to their children and hopefully, vice versa,” she said.
Some of Sampana’s past family drama movies include "Seven Sundays" and "Three Words to Forever."
“‘Pag family drama, medyo malapit sa puso ko. Nakakatakot puntahan kasi alam nating masyadong very close to your heart, isa siyang bagay na masarap pag-usapan pero nakakatakot pag-usapan kasi lumalabas ang lahat ng multo,” she added.
But more than the touchy and relatable subject, “Meet, Greet and Bye” will introduce some of the Filipino family dynamics to the worldwide audience.
“Ipakilala sa mundo kung ano ang pamilyang Pilipino, kung how we raised our children, kung gaano ka close ang family ties nating mga Pinoy. Parang gusto kong mapakita sa kanila kung paano tayo magmahal,” Sampana said.
As for the cast, Pascual said he is thrilled to do another family drama film. His last was ‘Dekada '70’ with Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon.
“Something new, something you won't expect… ‘Yung script when I was reading it, I had to park it every so often, ‘coz hindi lang siya nakakaiyak, it’s really touching. Makikita mo talaga ‘yung kultura nating mga Pilipino,” Pascual said.
And doing another movie with Star Cinema for Pascual is like a homecoming. “Star Cinema will always be my home,” he declared.
Months ago, ABS-CBN News reported about Mariano’s upcoming project with Sampana, and finally it has been revealed that this is the project she has been keeping under wraps.
“I’ve never worked with any of them, and it’s such a breath of fresh air for me. Merong kaba, of course, but I’m excited for this project. I’ve read the script and ‘yun nga, it will take you home,” she said.
For Juan Karlos, this is his first Star Cinema project, and stepping into the look test and testing his rapport with his co-stars and director, he said: “Yung chemistry that we all have not just the cast, but everyone here, I feell ike it’s gonna be fun, it’s not gonna feel like work.”
“First time ko makatrabaho si Piolo”, said Garcia, who will be working on his very first family drama movie. “Si Belle nakatrabaho ko na siya sa ‘Love You to the Stars,’ and first time with brother JK.”
Other details are still top secret but filming for the project will begin soon.