Kakai Bautista, 45, is not losing hope on love

CEBU, Philippines — Singer-actress Kakai Bautista considers working with showbiz industry pillars Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon as a highlight of her 2023.

In “When I Met You in Tokyo”, a 49th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry currently in cinemas, the comedienne plays one of the pals of the Star For All Season’s OFW in Japan.

Bautista had worked with Santos in the 2009 film “In My Life”, but it was only a brief role as her assistant. So it pleasantly surprised her that the veteran actress still remembered her name when they reunited this year for JG Productions’ romance flick.

And while she is good friends with de Leon’s wife Sandy Andolong, Bautista had yet to act alongside the accomplished actor before “When I Met You in Tokyo.”

“Ito yung sa tingin ko na pinaka sobrang blessing na natanggap ko ngayong 2023, kasi nakatrabaho ko ang legends ng Philippine cinema,” Bautista said during a press conference at the Nustar Resort and Casino.

She marvelled at the tandem’s professionalism and how they dealt with co-stars and production staff.

“Every scene, kahit hindi ka kasama, marami kang matututunan sa kanila. They don’t necessarily say it directly. Ikaw mismo makikita mo yung mga lessons. Hindi dahil sikat sila, but when you work with them, you will be inspired,” said Bautista, who can also be seen in the Kapamilya Channel series “Can’t Buy Me Love.”

“And the friendship we built in Japan, sobrang blessed ako na naging close kami. Kaya pala sila tumagal. Bukod sa magaling sila, napaka humble.”

Love knows no age

Written by Kapuso scriptwriter Suzette Doctolero, with direction by Rado Peru and Rommel Penesa, “When I Met You in Tokyo” follows Azon (Santos) and Joey (de Leon), OFWs in Japan whose unpleasant first encounter blossoms into an unexpected love story.

She is a cheerful yet feisty workhorse who focused on supporting her extended family, he is a divorced farmer in countryside Japan still reeling from his ex-wife’s infidelity.

“The relationship will show that love has no color, no gender, nor age – especially age. I’m 45, I don’t have a boyfriend or husband but I’m still not losing hope,” said Bautista.

“Bukod sa pagmamahal ng pamilya at kaibigan, yung mga taong hindi na naniniwala sa pag-ibig ay mapapa-ibig muli with this movie. Kasi kami, while watching Ate Vi and Tito Bo [de Leon’s nickname], we felt in love. This will bring back one’s hope about finding love.”

At the 2023 MMFF’s December 27 awarding ceremony, the film won 4th Best Picture among a field of 10, as well as Best Actress for Santos, Best Float, and the Fernando Poe Jr. Memorial Award for Excellence.

It also earned nominations for Best Director, Best Actor, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and the Gender Sensitivity Award.

“Love has no boundaries. We can all fall in love, at masarap ma in love, basta’t walang masasagasaan,” Santos further said of the film’s main message.

Bautista, who’s had her fair share of controversies concerning celebrities linked to her romantically, said that finding a life partner is not a priority at the moment. She’s just letting fate take its course.

“I think wala yan sa age. Walang limit kung anong pwede ibigay ni Lord sa atin na pag-ibig kasi naniniwala ako – hindi ako bitter ha, I believe in love, I believe in being in love – but naniniwala ako na Siya talaga ang magbibigay sa atin. Kung magbibigay siya o hindi, siya ang magde-decide,” she said.

“Ako yung type na babae na I’m happy being single. Lagi kung sinasabi na ang pag-aasawa, wala yan sa listahan ko, pati ang pag-anak. Pero, ‘pag si Lord ang nag-decide for me, it will happen. So I’m open to courtship, dating and everything. Kasi kapag decision na ni Lord, aba, ano aarte ka? But I am not looking for it. I am just enjoying myself.” — (FREEMAN)