Alden Richards and Julia Montes with director Irene Emma Villamor

Asia's Multimedia Star Alden Richards and dramatic actress Julia Montes have been away from the big screen for several years. Alden was last seen in the blockbuster film "Hello Love Goodbye" with Kathryn Bernardo in 2019, while Julia appeared in "Padre De Familia" in 2016.

Alden and Julia are finally teaming up for an upcoming romantic-drama film entitled "Five Break-Ups And a Romance" produced by Cornerstone Studios, GMA Pictures, and Myriad. The movie is written and to be directed by Irene Emma Villamor, the mind behind movies such as "Sid & Aya," "Meet Me In St. Gallen," "On Vodka, Beers, and Regrets" and "Ulan."

During the announcement of the project at the B Hotel in Quezon City on April 18, Alden and Julia shared their first reactions when the film was presented to them.

"Nagulat ko. Hindi na ako magkukunwari. Seriously ako ba talaga? And then siyempre honored and happy ako to work with him. Hindi pa kami
matagal nagsu-shoot pero na appreciate ko. That's why Alden Richards is Alden Richards. Alam ko na kung bakit," Julia said.

(I was surprised. I'm not going to pretend anymore. Seriously, is it really me? And then of course I'm honored and happy to work with him. We haven't shot for a long time but I appreciate that. That's why Alden Richards is Alden Richards. Now I know why.)

FROM LEFT: Cornerstone Vice President Jeff Vadillo, GMA Films President Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes, Alden Richards, director Irene Emma Villamor, Julia Montes, GMA First Vice President for Program Management Joey Abacan, former Star Cinema Managing Director Malou N. Santos, and Cornerstone Entertainment President Erickson Raymundo (Cornerstone Entertainment Facebook)

Alden answered: "It's been a while since noong last film ko. That was 2019. Noong nilatag pa lang sa akin ito, First nagkaroon ako ng private meeting with our director and the producers. Na-excite ako with the idea na I will be paired with Julia kasi I know she's a good actress. Parang si Juls yung isa sa mga leading ladies. Unang meeting pa lang namin as in wala ng pretentions. Naramdaman ko yung sincerity ni Julia. So hindi rin ako natakot to give my all in this film kasi siguro napaka-importante kung paano pinakikila ng bawa't isa ang inividuality nila bago kami mag-start. Si direk nakatrabaho ko na rin before sa isang telserye ko sa GMA. This is the firs time with Juls. Nakaka-dalawang shooting days pa lang kami pero I think this is the start of a really good friendship. And a wonderful working relationship."

(It's been a while since my last film. That was 2019. When it was offered to me, first I had a private meeting with our director and the producers. I was excited about the idea that I will be paired with Julia because I know she's a good actress. Juls seems to be one of the leading ladies. It was just our first meeting as in there were no pretensions. I felt Julia's sincerity. So I wasn't afraid to give my all to this film because maybe it's very important how everyone gets to know each other and their individuality before we start. I've worked with the director before in one of my TV series in GMA. This is the first time with Juls. It's only been two shooting days for us but I think this is the start of a really good friendship. And a really good working relationship.)

Director Irene Emma Villamor, Alden Richards and Julia Montes

They have only been shooting for two days but they all have a good working relationship, the stars said.

"Big thing kasi sa akin yung co-actor na kailangan comfortable ako kasi hindi mo madadaya yung connection. Yung character naman sometimes hindi naman kami yun. Malayo sa real personalities naming pero yung connection, yun ang kailangan mong i-build prior. But in the Philippines, wala naman tayong luxury of time to have that bonding prior to shoots. Pero sa amin moong first (day) pa lang, comfortable na kami. Pinakita ko kang yung tunay na ako. Kwentuhan tapos comfortable lang. Yun ang na-appreciate ko. Nakita ko talaga siya kung paano siya in real life," Julia said.

(It's a big thing for me that the co-actor needs to be comfortable because you can't cheat the connection. The character is sometimes not us. It's far from our real personalities but the connection, that's what you have to build. In the Philippines, we don't have the luxury of time to have that bonding prior to shoots. But for us, just on the first (day), we are already comfortable. I showed him the real me. We talked and then it was comfortable. That's what I really appreciated. I really saw him as he is in real life.)

Alden also said: "Maganda rin kay Juls, before we started, ang maganda kasi sa nangyari sa amin, and I think it's a very good thing, we should always work on the relationship of the co-actors. That's the foundation of the whole project. Kumbaga doon nag-start yan eh. Yung relationship kasi ng mga tao na magtatrabaho sa project, yun ang magma-manifest sa screen. That will really speak a lot about the project. Si Juls kasi na-orient na niya ako which I really appreciate. Mahirap ng nangangapa ka. Isa sa na-appereciate ko kay Julia is yung tapang niya. She's a really brave woman. Parang this is me. She's very genuine, binigyan din niya ako ng worth in that way.)

(It was also good for Juls, before we started, because what happened to us was good, and I think it's a very good thing, we should always work on the relationship of the co-actors. That's the foundation of the whole project. I guess that's where it started. The relationship of the people who will work on the project will manifest on the screen. That will really speak a lot about the project. Juls oriented me which I really appreciate. One of the things I also appreciate about Julia is her courage. She's a really brave woman. It's like this is me. She's very genuine, she also gave me value in that way.)

Alden Richards and Julia Montes

Direk Irene said that while the Julia-Alden tandem is an unconventional pairing, both are good actors who are committed to the craft and are very much willing to work with her and the whole production team to bring this story to life. "So the fans of both stars can expect that they will be giving it their all."

She shared her excitement about working with the pair, citing their natural chemistry and acting skills.

"We have done just one reading pa lang at sobrang dami na namin na discuss about the concept so nakaka-excite makita paano nila bubuhayin yung mga characters sa script," the director said.

"Five Break-Ups and a Romance" is a romantic-drama film that aims to elevate the traditional Filipino romance genre to a new and more mature level. The movie deals with the complexities of romance and relationships in the modern era. The gleaming skyscrapers of Singapore and Manila's Bonifacio Global City will serve as the backdrop of the modern love story.

CS Studios (under the leadership of Cornerstone Entertainment President Erickson Raymundo), will be partnering with GMA Pictures (under the direction of GMA Films President Atty. Annette Gozon-Valdes and GMA First Vice President for Program Management Joey Abacan) and Myriad (Alden Richards’ production company) to produce the film. Former Star Cinema Managing Director Malou N. Santos is also involved in the project as a consultant.