CARLO AQUINO says he initially thought he’d find it difficult working with Julia Barretto in “Expensive Candy”, which had a very successful premiere at SM The Block last Monday night.
It got a rousing round of applause from those who attended the red carpet event.
“Ang akala ko talaga, hindi ko siya makaka-vibes, kasi she’s very quiet on the set,” says Carlo.
“But as the shooting went on, she showed na kalog din pala siya, but may class ang pagka-kalog niya. Pati ang pagiging dancing queen niya, class din.
"May dance sequences kasi sila rito ng mga kasama niyang pokpok to seduce their customers who throw them money at ang sexy talaga ng dating ni Julia rito.”
In the movie, he plays a high school teacher who has to prove to his students that he is no longer a male virgin.
He gets Julia as Candy to service him and, in the process, he really falls in love with her.
How did he approach the role of a man who falls in love for the first time and with a girl-for-hire at that?
“I asked our director, Jason Paul Laxamana, to guide me in every scene. Kasi siempre, vision niya ito and he knows kung anong kind of treatment ang babagay roon sa role.
"So he tells me pati kung paano ang gusto niyang pagbabato ko ng linya and I really appreciate that he guided me in my role as Renato or Toto.”
What does he think is the message of the movie?
“Love story ito which says na ang pag-ibig, maaring mahanap mo sa isang di inaasahang lugar at pagkakataon.
"Si Toto rito, na-love at first sight kay Candy, kahit alam niyang bayarang babae ito.
"Hindi mawala sa isip niya si Candy kaya gagawin niya ang lahat para mapalapit dito at makasama ito gabi-gabi, kahit alam niyang pamahal nang pamahal ang bawat oras na she spends with him.”
Of course, there will be obstacles in their relationship.
“In the end, the movie says that love recognizes no barriers. Kapag may gusto kang isang tao, kahit gaano kataas pa ang walls na humahadlang sa inyo, gagawin mo ang lahat para gibain ang walls na yan.
"Napakagaling ni Julia rito as Candy and I’m sure viewers will appreciate her performance.”
Director Jason Paul Laxamana takes his hat off to Julia.
“She is very courageous,” he says. “Kasi not all mainstream actresses will consent to do this kind of daring role and movie.
"Sa first movie pa lang she that did for me, ‘Between Maybes’, I’ve learned to admire her na for her professionalism.
"She is very serious with her craft and you’ll see it here in ‘Expensive Candy’, which opens in theatre on September 14”.