After working on their first film, "Nerisa," in 2021 in supporting roles, real-life couple Aj Raval and Aljur Abrenica return via a new Vivamax film entitled "Sugapa." 

Before leaving the spotlight to continue her studies, AJ last appeared in the Vivamax film "Us x Her" with Angeli Khang and Kiko Estrada. 

During a Zoom with the entertainment media last Aug. 18, Aj shared that she misses acting after taking a short break to attend her online classes. 

"Na-miss ko po yung acting, pero yung pagkawala ko po, for how many months lang po. Nagpahinga.Marami po akong nagawa, nag-aral po ako, nag-graduate po ako at saka, marami rin po akong inaral na bago," she said. 

(I missed acting, but the time that I was gone for many months lang po. I rested for a bit. I did a lot of things. I continued my studies and graduated. Aside from that, I also studied a lot when it comes to acting) 

Asked about their intimate scenes in the film, Aj admitted that it was a bit awkward at first but thanks to her partner Aljur she could perform on the scene. 

"Dito naman [sa Sugapa], sa mga love scene, may awkwardness. Actually, hindi naman mawawala yung awkwardness sa lahat ng love scenes, kahit sino ang kasama mo. Medyo naging comfortable lang ako dito kasi si AJ [Aljur's nickname] yung partner ko," she said. 

(Here [in Sugapa], in the love scenes, there is awkwardness. Actually, the awkwardness doesn't go away in all the love scenes, no matter who you're with. I just got a little comfortable here because AJ [Aljur's nickname] is my partner) 

"Comfy kami kasi wala nang walls sa amin, sa isa’t isa. Yung feelings namin, nailalabas namin kung ano yung totoo,” Aj added. 

(We are comfortable now because there's now wall between us, so the feeling that we're showing are all true) 

In response to Aj's answer, Aljur also said that he gave his 100 percent trust to Aj while doing the project. 

"Hindi naman ako masyadong nahirapan sa eksena kasi importante sa akin yung trust, and right now malaki yung tiwala ko sa kanya [AJ] and matagal ko na rin siyang gusto makatrabaho ulit," Aljur said. 

(I didn't have too much trouble in the scene because trust is important to me, and right now, I have a lot of trust in her [AJ], and I've always wanted to work with her again for a long time) 

Making its premiere on Aug. 25, "Sugapa" follows the story of young lovers Ben who dream of a better life try their luck and go to the city, only to realize that reaching for their dreams could mean losing each other. 

Ben (Aljur Abrenica) and Anna (AJ Raval) are passionately in love with each other. Together, they have goals to pursue and vow to achieve success side by side and support each other. The couple chooses to try and make it to the city, where they believe there more opportunities and a much more comfortable life awaits.

But contrary to what they expected, they face more problems and challenges that put their relationship to the test and their lives in danger. As they deal with money, lust, addiction, obsession, and hunger for power, will everything be worth it in the end? Can their love make it through? Or will it be better to go their separate ways? 

A film by Lawrence Fajardo, "Sugapa" also stars Art Acuña, Lander Vera Perez, Lou Veloso and Dyessa Garcia.