The award-winning duo of Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon reunite on the big screen for the 25th time in “When I Met You in Tokyo.”
This early, “When I Met You in Tokyo,” produced by JG Productions Incorporated’s Rowena Jamaji and Rajan Gidwani, is being bruited about as the movie event of 2023 as it stars the most enduring love team in Philippine show business who were last seen in “Mano Po III: My Love” (2004).
The two actors, who are best friends in real life, are very excited to shoot a movie together.
Christopher, who is also the movie’s associate director, said once he read the script, there was no one on his mind but his perennial love team.
He recalled, “Merong concept ang kaibigan ko, Rado Peru and we were just talking about the concept and sabi ko bagay dito si Vilma Santos. I was talking to myself. Eventually this movie is for us. Hindi ko binanggit sa kanila but like, wow, sana pumayag si Vi. [The movie’s supervising producer] Redgie Magno asked her if we would do this. She read the material and nalaman nya almost 90-95% of the movie will be shot in Japan. Magandang material ito and hopefully tanggapin ni Vi.”
Vilma, when she was offered the role, gave an immediate yes.
“Tinanong ko lang ano ‘yung synopsis. It’s a love story. And then sinong kasama. Sabi, Christopher de Leon. Yes!” Vilma related.
“Sabi ko kagad, yes! Kasi na miss ko rin ang team up namin ni Yetbo. Matagal na rin – 15 years. Yung last movie yata [namin together] ‘Dekada’ then ‘Mano Po.’ Alam ko andyan pa rin ang crowd namin ni Yetbo. Ang ganda kasi ng istorya at tung story kasi tatakbo sa edad namin. It’s a love story na nasa edad namin. Hindi kami magbabata-bataan dito. And at the same time, what’s important is it’s a story of OFWs na nasa Japan…
“It’s a very very good comeback for me after seven years na hindi visible sa show business, ” the Star for All Season added.
Vilma and Christopher have starred in such box office hits as “Relasyon” and “Haplos” (1982), “Broken Marriage” (1983), “Immortal” (1989), and “Decade ’70” (2002).
In “When I Met You In Tokyo,” Vilma is feisty and bubbly Azon, who is known for the generosity of her heart, while Christopher is a farmer, Joey, a divorcee who still harbors the scars of his ex-wife’s infidelity.
The romance-family drama revolves around the story of unconditional love, sacrifices, and aging from the perspective of two elderly overseas Filipino workers in the winter of their lives. Producer Rajan Gidwani shared that the film talks about how true love can carry people forward.
“I would like to think that love has no boundaries and as we find true love, the joy and peace that fills our hearts will allow us to continue our journey in life,” he said.
“When I Met You in Tokyo” also stars Tirso Cruz III, Lotlot de Leon, Kakai Bautista with Cassy Legaspi and Darren Espanto. It is directed by Rommel Penesa and Radu Peru with the screenplay by Suzette Doctolero.
