How do you mend a broken heart?

You really know where to start

Fixing a broken heart

You really know what to do

Your emotional tools can cure any fool

Whose dreams have fallen apart

Fixing a broken heart — from Fixing a Broken Heart by AZN Dreamers

* * *

And how can you mend a broken heart?

How can you stop the rain from falling down?

How can you stop the sun from shining?

What makes the world go round?

How can you mend a broken man?

How can a loser ever win?

Please help me mend a broken heart

And let me live again. — from How Can You Mend a Broken Heart by the Bee Gees

These songs about mending broken hearts come to mind as you read the synopsis of Viva Films’ Camp Sawi (opening nationwide next Wednesday, Aug. 24, directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal) which is about five young women “struggling to mend their broken hearts inside a camp that helps them recover their awful experiences in love,” starring Andi Eigenmann, Bela Padilla, Arci Muñoz, Yassi Pressman and Kim Molina, with Sam Milby as the lone male star.

Let’s talk to the five “broken-hearted” women:

Describe your character and how are you like her?

Andi: My character’s name is Clarisse. As compared to the other girls in the camp, she’s the only one who actually made the choice to send herself there. She’s the one that seems to be handling the pain best in the sense that the others actually wonder why she’s in the camp because she seems to be OK. She represents all the girls who are going through pain but choose to keep it to themselves. I’m like her in a way that, at this point in my life, I have my priorities intact. Myself being one of the most important, as well as my daughter. And I now know that if ever I go through heartbreak again, I will handle it better because I’m aware that my life doesn’t stop when someone leaves me.

Bela: My character, Bridgette, will come out of a 10-year relationship, so she sees the world through two pairs of eyes. All of her decisions are run by Chris, her boyfriend, so when she gets left behind, her world just falls apart. I don’t think I’m similar to Bridgette because I’m pretty independent. I look after people, not the other way around.

Arci: My character is named Gwen. She is astig and swag. Pareho kaming rock ’n roll.

Yassi: My character is Jessica. Parehas kaming dalawa. I was 18 nang na-heart broken. Kahit maarte si Jessica, mabait na bata. Vulnerable din.

Kim: My character is Joan, the most devastated girl in the camp. She was left by her lonesome when her fiancé died the night before he proposed. Before the breakup, I would say that Joan and I are alike in the sense that we are both bubbly and giddy all at the same time. I don’t think I would be as crazy when it comes to getting my heart broken, though.

Have you experienced being junked by a guy and vice versa?

Andi: Yes, I have.

Bela: I have only one ex, and our breakup was something that we talked about…but he was the one who asked for it. (Was that you, Jason Abalos? — RFL)

Arci: Yes, both ways.

Yassi: Oo naman. Mahirap. Malungkot.

Kim: Yes to both questions. Got cheated on, broke up with my ex for nine years, then dated someone who I thought would be ready to commit to a relationship.

How do you mend a broken heart?

Andi: Out of sight, out of mind. I feel that the best way to mend a broken heart is by engaging in certain activities that will get your mind off of it until such time when you realize that you are already OK.

Bela: I’m the worst person to be asked about it. Hahahaha!!! It took me so long to move on because I was doing teleseryes during my breakup and I had no time to just cry it all out! I was working every day! So I relied on time to move on.

Arci: Based on experience, I spend time with my loved ones to take my mind off it.

Kim: Keep yourself busy. Sing! Write songs! Go out with friends or family and stop it with the “what if’s”!

Yassi: Aliwin ang sarili, surround yourself with positivity. Pero okey na rin masaktan, eh, magsasawa ka rin naman sa sakit, hahaha!!! Tapos gugustuhin mo na rin maging masaya.

How do you deal with a suitor whom you don’t like but who doesn’t give up?

Andi: If I feel like it’s never going anywhere, I won’t waste my time and say it right away.

Bela: Oh, that I am good at! First, I say I’m not interested…if the guy is still persistent, I don’t reply. He should respect your choice. If I say no, I mean no.

Arci: I tell him straight. Be honest. Tell him that you don’t like him.

Yassi: Magiging honest lang talaga ako na hanggang friendship lang talaga ang maibibigay ko.

Kim: Simple…just be honest with him.

What is the fastest way to win your heart?

Andi: Someone who is sure of himself, has a sense of adventure like me and shares similar if not the same values and principles as I do. And most important, someone who accepts that I have a daughter and that she’s my No. 1 priority.

Bela: Listen to me and my stories…and have colorful stories of your own.

Arci: Bring me to Disneyland.

Yassi: FOOD! Hahahaha!!! Kasama na rin po yun, pero siempre kabaitan, and sincerity. Mahirap kasi yung “best foot forward” kasi consistency is important to me.

Kim: Win my parents’ hearts first, not mine.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)