Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz

They say when you get cheated once, ‘poor you.’ You get cheated on again, ‘shame on you.’ In a world where love is a gamble, how far are you willing to play the cheating game?

This July 26, brace yourselves as GMA Public Affairs proudly presents its first-ever film offering, “The Cheating Game,” featuring two of the country’s highly talented artists Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz.

A feverish, deep-dive into the psyche of two individuals who react differently to betrayal, ‘The Cheating Game’ is a romantic drama about the game people play after getting cheated on. It shows a more mature, relatable, and realistic side to modern-day dating.

The film follows the story of Hope (Julie), an idealistic young professional who thinks she can change the world and that she knows everything. Hope is devoted to her fiance and the non-governmental organization (NGO) they’ve built together. Until a sex video of her boyfriend with another woman surfaces.

Heartbroken, Hope walks away from the engagement, the NGO, and the life she thought was hers. She starts her new career as a content producer in a company that, unknown to her, moonlights as a troll factory. Determined to never be outsmarted by a guy again, she designs a ‘cheat sheet’ detailing the ‘anatomy of a cheater’ and uses this as her guide as she navigates her way around the dating world.

She then meets Miguel (Rayver), a self-made businessman who exudes green flags for a partner. Hope seems to have found the perfect guy. But as they become closer, long-kept secrets begin to surface.

Julie and Rayver, fondly called ‘JulieVer,’ are happy that finally their first movie will be shown on the big screen.

“We started shooting it before the pandemic, we shot some scenes in the province then tinuloy lang namin this year. Ang surreal pa rin kasi napakabilis talaga ng panahon,” shares Julie. “I’m very excited and grateful. May panibagong family, may new set of characters, new set of people to work with, a great production team. Everyone is so nice and accommodating. We had a healthy working environment.”

She adds that she welcomes the thought of working with Rayver again but this time around, for a movie.

“Kasi usually nakikita kami ng mga tao sa The Clash, All-Out Sunday, sa performances, ghosting. This time as actors naman kami rito. Excited din ako to work with Martin, Winwyn, along with the rest of the cast. It’s a breath of fresh air. I’m very excited to show everyone what we did,” she adds.

Rayver echoes Julie’s sentiments.

“Halo-halo ‘yung emosyon na nararamdaman ko pero mas lamang ‘yung excitement kasi makikita na ng tao yung pelikulang ginawa namin at talagang pinaganda namin ito nang husto. Very proud ako sa movie na ito especially first project namin ito ni Julie together na isang movie. Sa wakas, makikita na namin sa big screen,” he says.

He adds that the year 2023 has been very good to him so far. “I’m very thankful and blessed na mapabilang sa napakagandang project at napakagaling na artistang kasama namin dito. Thank you sa GMA Public Affairs and GMA Pictures, kasi nga first nila ire-release ito at napabilang kami sa cast. It has been a very wonderful JulieVer year for us kasi nga sunod-sunod ‘yung trabaho.”

Viewers are definitely in for a different JulieVer in ‘The Cheating Game.’

“If you watch this film, lahat ng kinds, elements ng cheating andito. Marami akong natutunan sa buong production, sa story. This is far different from what I did with Maria Clara at Ibarra. So ibang Julie naman ang makikita ninyo rito. Mas daring, bolder, stronger. I feel like I had to take a leap of faith just like the rest of the cast,” shares Julie. “For me, cheating is non-negotiable. Once it’s done, it’s done. But my major takeaway from this film is to forgive yourself.”

Rayver said he welcomed playing Miguel. “I enjoyed making the movie kasi doing it is a learning experience for me para maging aware ka how to handle being cheated. Lahat naman tayo, nabubulag kapag nagmahal tayo.”

Set to spice up the plot is a mix of young and veteran cast that includes Martin Del Rosario as Brian Villogo; Winwyn Marquez as Vanessa; Yayo Aguila as Faith Celestial; Candy Pangilinan as Tita Gelly; Phi Palmos as Joi Celestial; Thea Tolentino as Natalie; and Paolo Contis as Mister Y.

The film also features Charm Aranton, Chef Jose Sarasola, Charlize Ruth Reyes, Rocelyn Ordoñez, Aaron Maniego, Andrea So, Ida Sabido, Evan Tan, Roi Oriondo, Bernadette Anne Morales, Felds Cabagting, and Iman Manoguid.

A homegrown Kapuso artist, Julie’s versatility has earned her the title ‘Asia’s Limitless Star.’ She exudes a powerful stage presence with her show-stopping song and dance numbers, slaying numerous sold-out concerts here and abroad. Her three-part online musical journey, “Limitless: A Musical Trilogy” won a Silver Award for the Entertainment Special: Variety Special category at the 2022 New York Festivals TV and Film Awards. She has likewise proved her mettle as an actress with her iconic role as Maria Clara in the groundbreaking series and 2023 New York Festivals Bronze awardee “Maria Clara at Ibarra.”

Since joining the GMA Sparkle Center in 2018, Rayver quickly became one of the Network's most prized talents, performing in variety shows, hosting various programs, and portraying lead roles in top-rated series. He is regularly seen every weekend on "All-Out Sundays." Together with Julie, he hosted the original Kapuso singing competition, "The Clash." He has shown his acting prowess in various hit drama series such as "Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko," "Hanggang Sa Dulo Ng Buhay Ko," “Bolera,” and "Nagbabagang Luha."

From their solo projects to hosting and doing live concerts together, Julie and Rayver are taking it to the next level as they showcase their acting chops in a film that sheds light on various red flags in relationships as well as the different stages of grief after betrayal.

The excitement for JulieVer’s first team-up on the silver screen has been building up since the announcement of their movie project. The film’s teaser has already amassed more than 2 million views just a few days after it was released, while its full trailer, which was launched last July 11, has been getting raves from the public for its edgy scenes and snappy lines.

Produced by GMA Public Affairs under GMA Pictures, “The Cheating Game” is co-written and directed by best-selling author Rod Marmol, who is known for his works “Cuddle Weather,” “Mata Tapang,” and “Quaranthings,” among others. The film is based on the original concept and story by Peabody award-winning documentary writer and producer Shao Masula, and co-written by Jessie Villabrille, who is a head writer for some of the distinguished GMA primetime series.

“The Cheating Game” is GMA Public Affairs’ first offering on the big screen. Also included in its line-up of films are the fantasy drama ‘Firefly,’ the horror movie ‘Penthouse 77’, the science fiction romance ‘Version 2,’ as well as the 4K documentary film ‘The Lost Sabungeros.’

Let the games begin. “The Cheating Game,” in cinemas on July 26.