Film director Philip King believes actors Kylie Verzosa and Paulo Avelino have the perfect chemistry in the upcoming romantic-comedy movie "Elevator" under Viva Films and Rein Entertainment.

At the media conference held at Viva Cafe in Araneta City on April 5, Philip revealed that the chemistry between Kylie Verzosa and Paulo Avelino in "Elevator" goes beyond their past friendship. 

"During the workshops and script reading, they both selflessly focused on what the characters needed, showcasing their professional commitment," said Philip, who also wrote the screenplay of the movie.

Philip added: "So kapag nagkakasundo kayo sa trabaho, it makes things easier. And then noong nasa Singapore na kami, walang diva-ness in both of them. Swabe lahat at sobrang dapper nitong dalawa. They are normal people. So we got everything along and the chemistry was there."

Kylie said she enjoyed working on the film in Singapore, but she didn't feel like working.

This is not the first time that Kylie and Paulo have worked together, although this is the first time they will play the lead in a movie together.

"The first time we worked together was for the movie 'Kasal' with Bea Alonzo and Derek Ramsay. That was my first ever film. Baguhan pa talaga ako. Si Paulo ang naging acting coach ko roon kasi newcomer pa lamang ako. I've always wanted to work with him, and finally, nag-work na kami," said Kylie.

Paulo added "Dito lang talaga kami nagkasama sa buong project."

Both stars said working with each other was smooth despite their common connection. Paulo's best friend is actor Jake Cuenca, Kylie's former boyfriend.

"Hindi naman kami nailang sa isa't isa because we had script readings and workshops. Inayos namin yung characters namin. When we shot in Singapore, ang nadiscover ko kay Kylie, head-turner talaga siya. Minsan nahihiya na ako tumabi sa kanya. Lahat ng lalaki sa kanya nakatingin baka mapahamak pa ako," said Paulo.

On Paulo, Kylie said: "Wala kaming ilangan because to me, we're friends. We were friends before and we've been friends for a couple of years. That makes it easier to work as characters and as actors. But I always find him very quiet and mysterious. I really respect him as an actor because he's one of the best actors out there. Very maalaga siya sa scene and we worked together well."

Perfect career or partner

Paulo and Kylie were given the task of choosing between a perfect career or partner. They found it difficult to make a choice.

Philip offered to answer first. "Ako perfect partner because andiyan ang asawa ko."

Paulo said he would choose a perfect partner.

"Para sa akin, perfect partner. Dahil kapag nahanap mo ang perfect partner, desidido ka to try everything in your life, career or whatever it is."

Kylie said she would also choose a perfect partner.

"A perfect partner wouldn't stop you from pursuing a perfect career," the former beauty queen said.

Philip revealed how easy it was to shoot the elevator scenes despite its limited space.

"The elevator scenes, knowing the limitations of the space, gumawa kami ng set to make things easier and the coverage kakaiba," the director said.

Kylie said there were only a few scenes that were shot in an elevator and that was in Singapore. "But for the actual set, we had six elevator sets para maka-shoot si direk for different angles."

Stuck in an elevator

Philip, Kylie, and Paulo shared their most memorable elevator experiences in real life.

"Ako hindi siya romantic. Nangyari ito sa Hong Kong sa condo ng kapatid ng lolo ko Nag-open yung elevator sa gitna ng dalawang floors. So kaharap ko yung buong semento. Natakot talaga ako roon," the director said.

Kylie also described her personal elevator experience as scary.

"One time sa elevator ng condo ko, hindi siya Halloween pero when I opened the elevator, may apat na guys na naka-black at naka-mask. Then I asked myself, ''Halloween ba?' Nakakatakot. Hindi na lang ako pumasok sa elevator. Nagsinungaling na lang ako sa kanila sabi ko aakyat ako. Sabi nila, 'Down?' Sabi ko, 'No, up!'" she said.

Paulo said so far, he never had a scary elevator experience.

"One thing na laging tumatatak sa isip ko, kapag may nakakasabay ka na maganda or crush mo sa elevator, parang sinasabi mo nasa mapansin ako nitong katabi ko. Pero dahil hindi rin naman ako nagsasalita, hindi rin naman ako masyadong tumitingin sa tao, hindi rin po ako napansin," he recalled.

Paulo and Kylie shared who they'd like to be stuck with in an elevator.

"Siguro huwag naman si Jesus Christ kasi baka dumerecho na ako sa heaven. But it's a good thing, though. Siguro I want to stuck with someone. Sino ba? Sino ba gusto ninyo?" he asked. Someone from the audience shouted "Kim" in reference to Kim Chiu. "Si Kimmy? Puwede naman. Si Kim na lang kasi masarap naman siyang kasama," said Paulo.

Kylie answered: "Gusto kong ma-stuck sa elevator, dahil medyo matagal-tagal yun, feeling ko yung mahal ko sa buhay."

Paulo said: Itago natin sa pangalang...."

Philip added: "Sobrang pogi. Yun lang masasabi ko."

Kylie said: "Basta happy ka lang."

"Elevator" will be shown in cinemas beginning April 24.