There’s something deliberately elusive about “Only We Know,” the new film written and directed by Irene Villamor and starring Dingdong Dantes and Charo Santos.
Even its promotion is surrounded by mystery. And that’s exactly how the filmmaker wants it.
“Yeah, it’s deliberate,” Villamor confirms. “Gusto naming ma-curious ang tao and ma-experience ninyo ‘yung buong pelikula. Kasi experiential ‘yung cinema. Kailangan mo siyang masimulan at makasama ka sa journey.”
Charo and Dingdong play Betty and Ryan, two strangers drawn together by a chance encounter. “Betty is an English literature teacher,” Direk Irene explains. “Ma’am Charo has been a teacher of life na kasi sa dami ng napagdaanan niya and experiences. She’s the perfect Betty to bring what she has as a person and as an actor.”
Dingdong, too, was the only actor ever considered for the role of Ryan. “Kasi he’s a man’s man. Kung merong girls’ girl, he’s a man’s man,” Direk Irene explains. “He’s a perfect gentleman, pero meron siyang depth. Quiet but maraming bitbit.”
The film’s journey from concept to screen was a long one — seven years.
“I just feel that mas naging tama yung panahon ngayon para gawin namin. Nagawa namin siya ng swabe na walang interruption… as in super smooth sailing ang ginawa namin,” relates Dong.
The film was shot in just thirteen days. “Walang iniisip masyado, hindi yung may aberya dito. Usually may ganun,” adds Dong.
When asked to describe their characters in one word, Charo offers: “Soulmates.”
Dantes hesitates before saying, “Kailangan nila ang isa’t isa.”
Asked if real-life versions of Ryan and Betty have existed in their personal histories, Charo Santos smiles before answering simply, “Yes.”
The same holds true for Dingdong, but says there was no romantic aspect in the relationship: “Some other forms… not ‘yung love angle. Marami kasi. Si Betty kay Ryan ay so much more than just… love. [She’s] someone [he] needs.”
The film has found a fan in Dantes’ wife, actress Marian Rivera, who saw an early cut. “Sobrang proud ako. Pinapanood ko sa kanya. Sobrang nagustuhan niya at na-appreciate niya. Tinawagan niya agad si Direk Irene para sabihin na kailangan mapanood to ng mas maraming tao at sa sinehan talaga.”
Despite being first-time co-stars, the chemistry between Santos and Dantes emerged naturally, they said, through trust and preparation. “We did a lot of preparation. Ang dami naming pag-uusap with Direk Irene,” says Charo. “Even before we did our first day of filming, parang na-inhabit na namin ‘yung character.”
As for what the co-stars discovered about each other, Dingdong reveals, “Si Ma’am Charo pala ay kalog. Mahilig sa chichirya. Sobrang agang dumadating sa set — uunahan niya lahat.”
Charo laughs before revealing that Dingdong is not the comedian he thinks he is: “Paminsan-minsan, pumapasa naman ‘yung joke niya.”
“Only We Know” is produced by Cornerstone Studios, AgostoDos Pictures, Star Cinema, and 7K Entertainment. It includes Shamaine Buencamino, Joel Saracho, Al Tantay, Max Collins, Soliman Cruz, Isabel Oli, Johnny Revilla, Rafa Siguion Reyna, Yesh Burce and Gil Cuerva in the cast.
It is available in cinemas beginning June 11.
