The cast of "Until She Remembers" said portraying LGBTQIA characters was never a concern for them, stressing that their main focus was telling the story honestly rather than drawing attention to labels. 

The cast of 'Until She Remembers' with director Brillante Mendoza (right). Beside him are the stars (from left) Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo, Barbie Forteza, and Charo Santos-Concio.

The film, written and directed by award-winning Brillante Mendoza and premiering on Feb. 25, tells the story of a young girl named Angel (played by Barbie Forteza), whose world quietly unravels as her parents separate. With no one willing or able to take responsibility for her, she seeks refuge with her grandmother Concha (Charo Santos-Concio). There, Angel is confronted with the painful reality that the woman she loves most is slowly dying of cancer.

In the fragile time they have left together, Angel uncovers a long-buried secret: Concha once shared a deep but unresolved love with another woman, Catherine, portrayed by Boots Anson Roa-Rodrigo. Determined to bring closure to her grandmother’s final days, Angel tracks Catherine down, only to discover that she is now living with Alzheimer’s disease - unable to remember the love they once shared, or even the woman who loved her.

The film traces a quiet but devastating journey toward a final meeting, where memory fades, but love endures. Through this process, Angel begins to understand that love is not defined by possession, time, or even remembrance, but by presence, sacrifice, and compassion.

Barbie noted that the film’s exploration of same-gender love felt natural to her, adding that she had previously been offered a Girls’ Love (GL) project and had immediately accepted.

“Actually, nagkaroon po ng movie offers na GL, and I immediately said yes. Hindi lang po natuloy,” she shared. She added that she and her supposed co-star, whom she refused to name, had exchanged messages and expressed excitement about the project. 

“Pareho kaming grateful and excited. Sayang lang hindi natuloy,” she said, stressing that she remains open to doing a GL project if given the opportunity again.

The actress also described working with director Brillante  as a formative experience, likening it to a master class in filmmaking. Known for his unconventional process and for often working without a fixed script,  Brillante's approach challenged Barbie immensely.

“For a young actor like me, napakaganda ng experience at the training ground. Na-realize ko na nagwo-work pa rin ang pelikula kahit wala kang script. It’s all about the narrative and the message you want to convey to the audience. (It was a great experience and training ground. I realized that storytelling can still work even without a script)," Barbie stated.

Charo, meanwhile, described Concha as one of her more challenging roles, given the complexity of the character’s journey. She singled out a key scene with Boots as particularly memorable.

Boots Anson Roa Rodrigo (left) and Charo Santos

“We bared our souls to each other,” she stated. “That’s something very deep and unforgettable. That will stay in my heart forever.”

She also revealed that discussions about finally working together with Boots had taken place years before the project materialized, making the film feel almost destined. 

The director noted that the characters Concha and Catherine seemed almost tailor-made for Charo and Boots, even in the early stages of writing. Although the actresses’ ages were not initially considered, the roles aligned with their depth and life experience.

For Boots, taking on an unconventional role later in her career was something she embraced without fear. She acknowledged that initial questions crossed her mind - what people might say, how her family might react - but she ultimately focused on the strength of the material.

“It’s something different,” she said. “At our age, we’re looking for roles that stretch our limits. We’ve been through life, so may bagong lalim, may bagong karanasan (there's a new depth and new experiences.)”

On a more personal level, Boots also reflected on the persistent gender bias surrounding same-gender love stories. She recalled being asked whether the film included intimate scenes, a question she said showed how LGBTQIA narratives are still often reduced to stereotypes.

“But when you watch the film,” she said, “tatama ito sa puso at damdamin ninyo (this will resonate deeply with your heart and emotions).” 

She emphasized that the story centers on a love that lasts through pain, suffering, and time. “It just happens to be love between two people of the same gender.”

Produced by Solar Studios Inc. and Center Stage Productions, with Wilson Tieng serving as executive producer, "Until She Remembers" will be in theaters starting Feb. 25.