Maine & Carlo embrace chance to work with other stars

MANILA, Philippines – Isa Pa, With Feelings stars Maine Mendoza and Carlo Aquino underwent a familiarity workshop to “break down” the walls that actors working for the first time together have to deal with.

A joint venture of Black Sheep and APT Entertainment, Isa Pa, With Feelings has generated excitement, interest and perhaps some controversy because it pairs for the first time Maine and Carlo, who are both still very much identified with their former love teams, most especially Maine.

But what has been described as an “unlikely” tandem is raising high expectations following their “trending” teaser trailer that suggests as much that they have the chemistry and the credibility to bring to life a story about two strangers finding comfort — and maybe love — in each other. 

According to the production notes, in Isa Pa, With Feelings, Maine is a disheartened intern named Mara who failed the board exams to become a licensed architect. She meets Gali (Carlo), a deaf sign language teacher who is out to prove that he can dance the same way hearing people can.

Mara and Gali develop a connection and an unspoken understanding for each other despite their differences. As they get closer, and with complicated feelings getting in the way, they discover that their brokenness, that once connected them, starts to pull them apart.

During a presscon for the film last Sept. 30 at the ABS-CBN Studio Experience, Trinoma Mall, Quezon City, director Prime Cruz revealed that he made the two undergo workshops to build the chemistry and more importantly, the trust in each other.

“Dun pa lang nag-open na kami ng mga experiences namin in life. We were able to break the ice,” Maine said.

“(Director) Prime Cruz made us share about our insecurities to break down the walls between us,” added Carlo. 

They have since grown so comfortable with each other and it showed during the presscon.

Carlo said that how they are now is very much different from the first time they worked together, via a sign language workshop.

Maine told Carlo, “You’re very easy to get along with really, wala kang dating alam mo yun,” drawing laughter, before clarifying, “I mean he’s not intimidating!”

Meanwhile, both stars readily admitted that they can relate to their characters. According to Maine, she’s like Mara for having to always deal with people’s expectations.

“A lot of people are expecting from her, so I see her in myself, the struggles of Mara,” she said. “I see that in her, and I see that in myself, so sometimes that’s where I draw (my inspiration from).”

As for Carlo, like Gali, he still harbors insecurities despite being praised for his acting work and having awards to show for it. “Si Gali, meron siyang parang ipinapakita sa tao, but deep inside, he has a lot of insecurities,” he said.

“I’m like that, even with the praises coming from people regarding my acting, I still have a lot of insecurities.”

Nevertheless, it was Carlo, the more experienced one that he is, who helped Maine deliver in the dramatic scenes, something she admitted as not her forte, unlike comedy.

“It depends on the co-actor if he’s generous,” she said on how she was able to execute particularly the emotionally-charged scenes. “Si Carlo wala akong masabi, may mga moments na kaming dalawa nalang at nag-te-thank you talaga ako sa kanya kasi tinulungan niya ako. I was able to deliver because of him.”

Carlo, on the other hand, was quick to note Maine’s dedication to the film. “Actually, I feel that whether it’s me or not who portrays as Gali, she’ll be able to deliver because her commitment, dun sa role, talagang very solid. She won’t come out of the tent if she still hasn’t memorized her lines.”

He reiterated his previous statements praising Maine’s acting.

“He just said that because he’s afraid of being bashed,” Maine teased Carlo.

“I’m used to being bashed,” Carlo laughed.

For the stars, bashing comes with the territory of being in showbiz, especially if you’re very much identified with a love team and yet being paired with another. 

It’s no secret that they both come from popular team-ups, Carlo with Angelica Panganiban, even delivering a hit with Black Sheep’s Exes Baggage, and of course, Maine with her phenomenal AlDub loveteam partner, Alden Richards, who starred in the Black Sheep’s mother company, Star Cinema’s biggest blockbuster to date, Hello, Love, Goodbye.  

Asked how are they taking the pressure of fans of their previous partners, Carlo said, “More than pressure, I’m just enjoying the new partnership. I’m concentrating more on that, and what I can learn from the experience, rather than the pressure.”

Maine, on her part, said, “I just welcome and embrace the opportunity to get to know another person, to work with another actor, with another team.”

The actress-host trusts that fans who disapprove of their pairing, if there are any, will understand that it’s “a chance for the artist to grow and to explore.”

She also believes that there are fans who wholeheartedly support this career growth.

(Directed by Prime Cruz and co-written by Jen Chuaunsu and Katherine Labayen, Isa Pa, With Feelings hits cinemas nationwide on Oct. 16.)