Alden & Kathryn: Happy together

MANILA, Philippines — It’s final: Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo are starring in a yet untitled movie for Star Cinema which will start shooting in Hong Kong next month.

The story conference was held last Tuesday with Star Cinema head Olivia Lamasan and Carmi Raymundo, scriptwriter of the Kathryn-Daniel Padilla starrer The Hows Of Us (also with Cathy as director) last year’s No. 1 blockbuster that earned more than P600M worldwide.

Alden and Kathryn will play OFWs as a nod to the millennials’ predilection for working abroad.

In a phone chat, Olivia said, “It’s been a long time since we did a movie about OFWs. That was almost 20 years ago with Anak, starring Vilma Santos as an OFW in Hong Kong. I remember Alden saying that he would love to do a movie with Star Cinema. So, when we thought of a project that would fit him, we lost no time in contacting him. I find Alden very nice, magaan ang dating.”

Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo with Star Cinema head Olivia Lamasan (seated) and Carmi Raymundo (back)

In an ABS-CBN report, Alden was quoted as saying that he’s a big fan of Cathy, especially her movie One More Chance that stars John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo.

“It’s a great honor and experience because I’m really in that stage of exploring the craft and my capability as an actor,” said Alden who added that he’s a “sobrang fan” of John Lloyd. “To be directed by someone who made that film (One More Chance)... it’s like the total package. I can’t ask for more. Sobrang saya ko po na nabigyan ako ng chance.”

Kathryn was quoted by the same report as saying, “If you ask me if I’m nervous, yes, super! But it’s a good thing.”

According to GMA executive Gigi Santiago-Lara, “Alden was given the go-signal for the Star Cinema project by APT Productions with which he is under contract.”

It’s not confirmed if APT will push through with a plan to reunite Alden and Maine Mendoza in another movie (after their hit 2016 starrer Imagine You & Me).

Maine Mendoza with boyfriend Arjo Atayde

Meanwhile, Maine has resurfaced on Eat, Bulaga!, ending days of speculation if she was dropped from the show. She seems to be focused more on her lovelife than her career.

Observed a showbiz veteran, “With his movie with Kathryn, Alden will surely make great strides in a solo career and Maine will be left way, way behind.”