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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Almost Us: JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith fall in love on the big screen

Almost Us: JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith fall in love on the big screen

Published Mar 27, 2026 11:30 am  |  Updated Mar 27, 2026 01:56 pm
JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith are set to make their mark as a new romantic-comedy pair in “Almost Us,” a heartfelt and emotionally charged film that takes a fresh look at what modern love stories can be.
JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith
JM Ibarra and Fyang Smith
A Regal Entertainment and Project 8 Projects production, “Almost Us” is helmed by celebrated filmmaker Dan Villegas. The film navigates the tender, uncertain territory between friendship and romance—where timing, unspoken feelings, and the weight of choices quietly determine two people’s fate.
JM and Fyang play two people drawn together by an undeniable connection, yet continually pulled apart by circumstance. Rather than leaning on familiar genre conventions, Almost Us offers a grounded, deeply relatable portrait of love—one that speaks to a generation wrestling with uncertainty, vulnerability, and the lingering question of “what could have been.”
JM turns in a sincere, layered performance that underscores his evolution as an actor. “This film is very close to my heart because it shows a kind of love that isn’t perfect,” JM shares. “It’s messy, it’s real, and it’s something a lot of people will see themselves in.”
Fyang Smith
Fyang Smith
Fyang captivates with her natural warmth and emotional depth, bringing a disarming honesty to her role. “What I love about Almost Us is how honest it is,” she says. “It doesn’t try to force a fairytale. It shows how love can be right, but the timing can still be wrong—and that’s something many of us go through.”
Together, the two bring an exciting new energy to the rom-com landscape, effortlessly weaving kilig moments into a story with genuine emotional weight.
Director Dan Villegas, celebrated for his singular voice in Filipino cinema, infuses the film with his trademark intimacy and unflinching realism. “We wanted to tell a story that feels true to this generation,” he explains. “Love today is complicated. It’s not always about happy endings—it’s about growth, choices, and sometimes, learning to let go.”
JM Ibarra
JM Ibarra
Since the release of its first-look scenes on the official social media pages of Regal Entertainment and Project 8 Projects, Almost Us has quickly built anticipation among fans and moviegoers alike, with audiences already responding warmly to the JM-Fyang pairing and the film’s refreshingly honest premise.
With a compelling story, authentic performances, and a contemporary sensibility that resonates, “Almost Us” is primed to leave a lasting mark on Philippine romantic cinema.
“Almost Us” is set for theatrical release nationwide on May 6.

Related Tags

Fyang Smith JM Ibarra Almost Us Regal Entertainment Project 8 Projects Director Dan Villegas Fyang Smith JM Ibarra Almost Us Regal Entertainment Project 8 Projects Director Dan Villegas
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