It was a fun and special experience for former Pinoy Big Brother: Celebrity Collab Edition housemate Xyriel Manabat working with her close friend, actor Kyle Echarri, on their upcoming Netflix film, 18th Rose.
Talking with PUSH ABS-CBN, Xyriel revealed how Kyle's enthusiasm for their first team-up as lead actors in the movie 18th Rose excited her.
“Natutuwa ako kasi pareho kaming excited and pareho kaming nilo-look forward na gawin itong movie together kasi parang surprise siya eh and at the same time nakaka-excite kasi first time namin magiging seryoso sa isa’t isa kasi nga, buong friendship namin bardagulan lang talaga kami,” Xyriel said.
She added that even before working together on the Kapamilya series Senior High and now their upcoming film, they already shared a unique friendship that has grown even closer and deeper over time.
“Before Senior High friends na kami ni Kyle, sobrang nakakatawa yung friendship namin niyan nila Kyle as in, ang random nung friendship namin ni Kyle pero close na talaga kami kaya nung Senior High, bardagulan na kami lalo noong inannounce ito. Nagmessage siya agad,” Xyriel recalled.
In 18th Rose, Xyriel and Kyle take on the roles of Rose and Jordan in a story about two teenagers who connect through music as they chase their dreams.
“Ang ganda ng transformation and noong transition from bardagulan to something deeper and something meaningful for the sake of Rose and Jordan’s story sa 18th Rose,” she expressed.
Bringing their characters to life, Xyriel shared that they were able to have deeper conversations about life.
“Ang ganda noong transition ng friendship namin mas nakilala namin yung isa't isa to the point na may mga rest day tapos para kaming nag-o-open forum kwentuhan kami ng buhay ng isa't isa. Mas naging solid yung friendship namin ni Kyle because of 18th Rose,” she remarked.
Directed by Dolly Dulu, 18th Rose will be available to stream on Netflix beginning April 9.
Xyriel admitted that her biggest adjustment in taking on her first-ever lead role in a movie was portraying a love interest as a teen, a different experience from her projects as a child star.
“Ang pinakamalaking adjustment siguro is first time ko gumawa ng movie na ang ka-love interest ko ay hindi na kami bata. Kasi noong may kapartner man ako on big screen is si Kuya Zaijian (Jaranilla) and ilang taon pa kami noon, mga bungi pa kami. So, first time dito as a teen yung pinoportray ko and first time ko may makakatambal na hindi minor and hindi kami pacute cute. Madali naman siya kasi, madali kawork si Kyle,” Xyriel said.
She added that during their first shooting day, she and Kyle were still in their playful phase before gradually settling into the more serious tone of their roles.
“Noong una sobrang laugh trip lang kami kasi ang random tapos dinodogshow lang namin na yes love team pero noong dive into na kami sa characters ni Rose at Jordan, doon na namin nabuo yung bond and story. Dinadala namin iyon and pinapanghawakan namin yung dynamic na iyon,” Xyriel recalled. “Ang naging transformation na simula noong first leg, dogshow lang kami ni Kyle pero noong sumunod na mas nagiging mabigat na yung eksena so, mas seryoso na kami ni Kyle.”
Meanwhile, Xyriel revealed that she set aside her real self in portraying Rose as her story is something she would like viewers to enjoy.
“Si Rose po, free spirited siya. Sobrang light niya. Siya yung nagbibigay ng sunshine kung saan siya pumupunta and marami siyang friends. Ako, I would say I really fell in love with Rose and Rose’s story,” Xyriel expressed.
“Sa sobrang ganda ng story niya, gusto ko lang bigyan ng hustisya ng buhay niya na kinalimutan ko si Xyriel and sobrang invested ako sa buhay ni Rose. Sa buong movie, yung buhay lang talaga ni Rose yung makikita, yung pinagdaanan, yung hugot o yung lalim niya,” she continued.