What if JM and JM didn’t break up...

JM vs. JM.

Funny how fate has a way of bringing ex-sweethearts Jessy Mendiola and JM de Guzman on collision course.

On Wednesday, April 10, their respective starrers are opening nationwide — Jessy’s is Regal Entertainment’s Stranded, directed by Ice Idanan; and JM’s is Star Cinema’s Last Fool Show, directed by Eduardo Roy Jr.

They are paired with actors with whom they are not romantically linked off-cam, Jessy with Arjo Atayde and JM with Arci Muñoz. In real life, Jessy has been going steady with Luis Manzano while JM has remained fancy-free even if he has been linked to other actresses (Barbie Imperial, among them).

In her last movie, The Girl in Orange Dress, Jessy is “stranded” overnight in a five-star hotel with her idol, a popular actor (played by Jericho Rosales) who is not her boyfriend. In Stranded, Jessy as Julia finds herself trapped in a bodega   one stormy night with a stranger (Arjo as Spencer). It’s not hard to guess what happens to a man and a woman in such a conducive cold night.

Last Fool Show is about Mayessa (Arci), an award-winning indie writer-director working for her dream production company that tapped her to do a rom-com as first project. With her friends, she comes up with the brilliant idea of drawing material from her own love story with her ex-boyfriend Paulo (JM).

Like Jessy, Arjo is also “committed” (to Maine Mendoza) so they are, well, “safe” with each other. The same goes for JM and Arci who have been friends since they were at UP taking up Theater Arts and members of Dulaang UP. Arci is said to be going steady with a rich Chinese businessman.

In interviews, Arci was quoted saying that she initially thought that JM was gay, “only because I believed that in Dulaang UP, walang straight guy.” Arci predicted that JM would “come out” in due time and what a big relief that it didn’t happen! “We treated each other like brother and sister, so we were comfortable working on our movie.” Oh yes, JM was proven, rather he proved himself, to be straight.

Jessy said that she’s willing to work with JM anytime — and vice versa. Why not, when there’s “something beautiful” that they can look back to, a “first” that Jessy will surely remember all her life.

For old times’ sake, Funfare let JM and Jessy play the “If I Were” game (separately, of course!) which may seem trivial but is actually very revealing. Let’s see…

Jessy with Arjo Atayde in Regal Entertainment’s Stranded

• If I were an animal, I would be,

JM: A giraffe. It symbolizes peace.

Jessy: A panther. It’s sleek and graceful but vicious when provoked.

• If I were a tree, I would be,

JM: A Narra Tree. Very sturdy.

Jessy: A Narra Tree. Resistant and not easily broken.

• If I were a car, I would be,

JM: A Mustang. Very tough.

Jessy: An SUV. I don’t like extravagant things.

• If I were a city, I would be,

JM: Baguio City. Very calm.

Jessy: Paris because I am romantic. Hehehe!!!

• If I were a superhero, I would be,

JM: Wolverine. Very resilient.

Jessy: Wonder Woman, my childhood superheroine.

• If I were an appliance, I would be,

JM: An aircon. Malamig.

Jessy: A TV. I like entertaining people.

• If I were a fruit, I would be,

JM: An apple. It keeps the doctor away.

Jessy: A mango, my favorite fruit.

• If I were a book, I would be,

JM: The Lost Symbol (by Dan Brown). Mind-boggling.

Jessy: The Alchemist (by Paulo Coelho). I never get tired of it even if I’ve read it three times already.

JM with Arci Muñoz in Star Cinema’s Last Fool Show

• If I were a movie, I would be,

JM: Raging Bull (black & white).

Jessy: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty. I would never get tired of watching it over and over again.

• If I were a musical instrument, I would be,

JM: A guitar. Very peaceful ang sound.

Jessy: A  harp, always so soft and so relaxing.

• If I were a dish, I would be,

JM: A steak. Hmmm, juicy!

Jessy: A steak. Juicy and chunky just like my shape.

• If I were a sport, I would be,

JM: Wrestling. My favorite sport.

Jessy: Muay Thai. I love being functional.

• If I were a woman/man, I would be,

JM: Angelina Jolie. Very strong.

Jessye: Luis Manzano. I want to help people the way he does. He makes everyone laugh, too.

• If I were to invite a celebrity to dinner, it would be,
JM: Secret!!!

Jessy: Jennifer Lawrence. I just want to ask her so many things.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)