Months after her romantic-comedy “Kita Kita” became the biggest selling Pinoy indie film in history, writer and director Sigrid Andrea P. Bernardo is ready to dominate the box office anew via “Mr. And Mrs. Cruz.” But not with the same formula, no. “Ibang-iba siya definitely,” she assured. SIGRID ANDREA P. BERNARDO While “Kita Kita” is a light story, about a blind woman who falls in love with a man who uses kindness and humor to make a connection with her – “Mr. And Mrs. Cruz” has a more “mature” subject matter. “Kasi it’s really about relationship, love, marriage, finding yourself, and moving on,” she said of the new opus. “Ito ’yung reality na lahat ng tao, nararanasan talaga ’to.” She hinted that certain questions will also be answered, like “Masaya ka ba kung committed ka o mas masaya ka na mag-isa ka?” “Mr. And Mrs. Cruz” is about Raffy (JC Santos) and Gela (Ryza Cenon), strangers who both went on vacation in Palawan and eventually found themselves enjoying each others’ company. As they spend more time together, their unconventional love story begins and flourishes but soon enough, trouble in paradise arises as their views in love, commitment and marriage clash. Hidden beauty Shot entirely in the picturesque islands of Palawan, the director said the location plays a huge role in the movie as it brings all kinds of mood and vibe on screen. Among the places they will showcase is El Nido which is known for many island activities and remote beaches. Also, some scenes were shot in the Underground River in Puerto Princesa which was voted in 2012 by the global community as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. But why Palawan, we asked. “A year bago ko sinulat ’yung script, nagpunta ako du’n. So nag-island hopping ako and sobra akong na in love sa place, sa kwento sa El Nido so sabi ko dapat makita ’to ng buong Pilipinas,” she shared. “Kaya dine-dream ko na magkaroon ng pelikula na masho-shoot duon para makita ng tao at mas lalo pang mapuntahan.” It was not easy doing some of the scenes. Sigrid revealed they even had a life and death situation wherein they got stranded in the middle of the sea for almost two hours. “Pinaka buwis buhay sa buong shooting namin ’yun. Napatawad na nga namin lahat ng galit sa amin, napadasal talaga kami,” she said in jest. Dream project Sigrid said this is her dream, to have another film with only two characters. “Ang hirap mag direk sa pelikula mo on how to be engaging na dalawa lang ’yung characters mo kaya kailangan kong mag-isip ng mga devices how to make it more interesting,” she said. JC SANTOS and Ryza Cenon The script has more than 100 pages for 40-43 sequences. With this, Sigrid had a script analyst to talk about the characters as “kailangan i-map namin para hindi sila nawawala sa character.” “Nu’ng una aminado talaga ako na ako mismo nahirapan sa sarili kong materyal. Parang feeling ko ‘Ba’t ko ba ginawa ’to, ang hirap hirap,’” she said laughing. Sigrid praised her lead actors. She is thankful that JC and Ryza made the effort to work out their chemistry. Note that this is their first time to pair up on screen. Back-to-back hits? Now, the question on many people’s minds: Does Sigrid think “Mr. And Mrs. Cruz” will make it big like “Kita Kita?” “Una sa lahat nu’ng ginawa ko naman ’yung ‘Kita Kita’ hindi ako nag-e-expect, wala akong expectations,” she said. “And I think ang mga tao wala ring expectations nu’ng pinanuod nila ’yung ‘Kita Kita.’ So mas maganda na walang expectation pero matutuwa kayo ’pag napanuod niyo ’yung pelikula.” Whenever she feels pressured, Sigrid goes back “duon sa goal ko lagi na tuwing gumagawa ako ng pelikula – it should be the story and I should concentrate on making it good or great for everyone.” So what are her tips for indie filmmakers who would want to cross over to mainstream? “Tiyaga ka lang talaga.” A SCENE from 'Mr. And Mrs. Cruz' Well, she never thought about it, to begin with. “Kasi ’pag gumagawa naman ako ng pelikula hindi ko naman inisiip ’yung mainstream or indie. Gusto ko lang gumawa ng pelikula na magugustuhan ng mga tao,” she explained. Sigrid thinks that ultimately, a filmmaker should stick to doing what they want. “’Yung personal happiness is very important kasi kung hindi ka happy sa ginagawa mong pelikula ihu-haunt ka niya forever. Kailangan ’pag nilabas mo ’yung pelikula happy ka para hindi ka ma-down kung hindi man kumita ’yung pelikula, hindi man magustuhan ng tao ang importante happy ka du’n sa pelikulang pinalabas mo.”