ANJO YLLANA is happy to be in a new movie, “Hello, Universe”, to be released by Viva Films in cinemas nationwide on January 25.
Janno Gibbs plays the lead role and he supports him as his best friend.
Doesn’t he mind playing a supporting role when he did lead roles with Janno before in their comedies with Viva in the 90s?
“Not at all,” he says at the film’s presscon. “Janno is not only a good friend. Parang magkapatid na kami niyan.
"So I will always be ready to give him support, anytime. At matagal na kong di nakagawa ng movie so I'm happy to be doing a new one again.”
Janno confirms this.
“It’s true. He’s always there for me kahit noong times na I was feeling down and need some company.
"At never nawala ang communication namin with each other kahit na wala kaming ginagawang projects together.
"Even my wife, si Bing (Loyzaga), she acknowledges Anjo’s being supportive. Kaya thankful akong tinanggap niya itong ‘Hello, Universe’ kahit hindi siya ang pinakabida sa story.”
“Wala namang issue kung bida ako o hindi,” says Anjo.
“The important thing is part ako ng isang magandang movie na may magandang mensahe sa mga taong nawawalan ng gana sa buhay at kailangan ng second chances.
'As of now, we’re preparing a new project na magkasama kami uli, parang reboot ng hit show and movie namin noon na ‘Ober Da Bakod’, pero updated na for today’s young Gen Z audiences”.
“Hello, Universe” is the first mainstream directorial job of Xian Lim who’s better known as an actor. How is he now as a director?
“Xian is very talented. He surprised us kasi marami siyang new ideas about comedy and how to make the movie a real crowd pleaser.
"Ang maganda kasi, he’s very collaborative. He is open to suggestions kung paano namin mas mapapaganda ang eksena.
"Masaya ang set namin at maganda ang camaraderie ng lahat. I’m sure marami pang ididirek na movies si Xian in the future.”
It’s common knowledge that he had issues with his younger brother Jomari Yllana in the last elections over campaign funds. Are they okay now?
“No, hindi pa rin kami nakakapag-usap. But open akong makipag-usap at handa akong makipagbati.
"Yes, nagtampo ako, but tapos na yun kaya lang, wala pang closure. He is my brother, so hindi naman kami magkaaway, kaya I am confident na maaayos din naman yan in the near future.”