MANILA -- Real-life couple Kim Molina and Jerald Napoles bring their real-world chemistry to the big screen in the newest romance-comedy film, Wonderful Nightmare, a project both describe as deeply personal and emotionally demanding.
For Molina, the film came at a time when art and life overlapped in unexpected ways. She shared that while every project holds its own significance, Wonderful Nightmare required an especially intense emotional and physical commitment.
“Films naman, kasama si Jhe or ako lang mag-isa, it’s all special kasi iba-iba yung mga pinagdaanan,” Molina said. “But with this movie, sobrang emotionally, physically, sabay-sabay. While I was shooting this, may mga personal na nangyari sa life ko may mga nawala na importanteng tao sa buhay ko, kahit yung aso ko.”
Balancing grief with performance, Molina admitted there were moments on set when emotions overwhelmed her.
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“Habang ginagawa ko yung dalawang characters ng Wonderful Nightmare, sobrang bigat ng emotion na kinakailangan,” she shared. “May time na nag-shoot ako na kinailangan akong yakapin at i-direct kasi hindi ko ma-stop. I had to prepare myself emotionally and also know when to stop, yun yung difference nito sa ibang projects.”
Napoles, meanwhile, found himself stepping into a role that felt uncannily close to his future in real life. Asked whether portraying a husband and a father felt like training for marriage, the actor responded with his trademark humor and honesty.
“Medyo, medyo,” Napoles said, laughing. “Yung pinaka-training sa pelikula, yung dalawang anak namin dito. Sa totoong buhay wala pa kaming baby, may mga aso pa lang. Pero parang na-portray mo yung nakikita mo sa mga magulang mo dati.”
He added that embodying a family man offered insight into what lies ahead.
“Kapag may setup na bahay, kwarto, mga chikiting, parang, ah, ganito pala ‘yun. It’s more like a preamble than preparation.”
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Adding to the film’s sentimental value, Molina revealed that parts of Wonderful Nightmare were shot in a location that holds special meaning for the couple.
“Somewhere in the Philippines,” she teased. “Isang lugar na sobrang importante sa amin ni Jhe kasi doon kami nag-date ng una na matagal. Mag-research ang fans may mga bagay akong hindi pinopost.”