Eight years ago, “100 Tula Para Kay Stella” became a hit. It touched hearts and cemented the love team of Bela Padilla and JC Santos in the minds of Filipino moviegoers. Now, the two reunite in “100 Awit Para Kay Stella,” a sequel that comes with not just expectations, but the challenge of following a film that became both a critical and commercial favorite.
The film, still written and directed by Jason Paul Laxamana, picks up fifteen years after their last encounter, with Fidel and Stella reentering each other’s lives. Joining them is Kyle Echarri, who plays Clyde — a younger character described as the opposite of Fidel in both personality and energy.
For Bela, the pressure is real, but it’s not just about beating box office records but also honoring what the first film meant to people.
“Ako personally now, because I also work behind the scenes, syempre nakikita ko ‘yung difference ng cinema after the pandemic,” she said. “Kaya tayo may mediacon today. We wanna get the word out and we need your help. I think it’s not a secret na ‘yung current state of movie watching or going to theaters is so different from when ‘100 Tula Para Kay Stella’ came out.”
She admits that the team did feel a shift once teaser images and behind-the-scenes clips started to circulate.
“Grabe ‘yung reaction. We’re even hearing from people who watched the first one na parang, ‘Nood kami nyan. Kami pa nga ngayon, or iba na asawa niya.’ We saw people grow up with us.”
Still, the question lingers: can they capture lightning in a bottle twice?
“I’m hoping that the people who loved ‘100 Tula Para Kay Stella’ will love this. That itself would be a good gauge of success. If they feel satisfied after they leave the film, I’ll be so happy,” Bela said. “I don’t wanna think na we have to surpass or match the box office returns. We put a lot of hard and good work into the film. This happened after such a long and tedious process of back and forth. Ang daming script na dumating sa amin ni JC bago pa umabot sa script na ’to.”
JC, who returns as Fidel, takes a similarly grounded approach.
“Wala naman akong pressure dun sa sequel. I think it’s a producer’s pressure or the director’s. Ako kasi, syempre gusto naming balikan ulit ‘yung mga taong nanood nung panahon na ’yon. We’re banking on the nostalgia this time…. We’re actually reaching out to them and replying to their messages. We wish na sana manood ‘yung dating nanood ng ‘100 Tula Para Kay Stella’.”
The film’s new layer comes in the form of Clyde, who brings a new dynamic to the story. Kyle said that despite joining a story with so much emotional history, he never felt like an outsider.
“Ang pinakamasasabi ko sa dalawang aktor na ’to is yung professionalism nila is unmatched,” Kyle said. “Pinaramdam talaga nila sa akin na parte ako ng buong production. I know this is their movie and I respect that so much kasi kwento nila to, kwento nina Fidel at Stella. Pero when I said thank you to JC, ‘Thank you so much for letting me be part of this project,’ sabi niya sa akin, ‘Thanks for joining the parade.’ Parang pinaramdam niya talaga na they wanted me to be part of it from the very beginning. I never felt pressure from either of them and I think makikita mo ‘yun sa kalabasan ng movie.”
While “100 Awit Para Kay Stella” marks a new chapter, Bela said she’s already thought of a third instalment — with a title to boot.
“Gusto ko talaga magka third film pero pag matanda na kami ni JC,” she said. “Napitch na niya sa akin. May title na: ‘100 Paalam Para Kay Stella’,” added JC.
“100 Awit Para Kay Stella” opens in cinemas on September 10! Tickets are priced at ₱275.00 in Metro Manila and ₱230.00 in provincial cinemas.
