Alexa & Rob show everything they’ve got in A Girl and A Guy

I initially planned to watch it for just about 10 to 15 minutes due to other commitments. But I got so engrossed in the film’s narrative that’s so riveting I just couldn’t look away. It’s the kind of film that talks to you straight in the eye.

Rising stars Alexa Miro and Rob Gomez as the characters Fiona and Raf, respectively, displayed impressive acting performances that would make any viewer sit up and notice their ability to be as real as can be. Alexa and Rob gave everything for the film, as in everything they’ve got.

Alexa described Fiona as a millennial who knows what she wants in life. “And just like me in real life, Fiona gives her 200 percent in everything she does — in her career, studies, relationship with her family, friends, and most of all, in love. Kaya naalanganin tayo ‘pag heartbroken. And that is the journey you’re gonna see with Fiona in the film and how she’s gonna continue to go for her dreams no matter how many times she fails.”

Rob, on the other hand, referred to Raf as a simple, introvert guy, who is very comfortable in his own space. “But then he realizes through time and the heartbreaks that he has to grow up. He has to adjust to the world today to survive,” expounded Rob of his character during my conversation with him and Alexa. Here are excerpts.

Alexa, in one of your interviews you described your character as, “wasak ang character ko dito.” What did you mean by that?

“That’s true because probably Fiona is like me when it comes to love. Most of the time, we depend our self-worth on the person we love kaya ‘pag nag-bigay ka ng 200 percent sa taong mahal mo, wala ng matitira sa ‘yo kaya natatalo ka rin pag-dating sa ibang bagay. Naliligaw ka na kung anong landas kaya talagang wasak talaga si Fiona dito. Marami s’yang mga bagay na sinubukan marami pa s’yang mga pag-kakamali bago n’ya natutunan ang mga dapat matutunan. Pero si Fiona at ako ay papunta na sa landas na alam na po namin kung paano mamahalin ang aming sarili.”

What similarities and differences do you share with Fiona?

“Fiona is pretty much 90 percent me in real life. Walang masyadong differences. When it comes to work, both Fiona and I give our 200 percent, we both have the passion and the discipline.”

Rob, what’s your favorite scene in the movie?

“I think it would be my scene in the balcony. There are just times that you really get so full or you get really so hurt and there’s no choice but to let it out and accidentally, you take a little step too far sometimes.”

Alexa, when is self-love too much?

“Siguro po ‘pag nakakalimutan mo ng rumespeto rin ng ibang tao sa sobra sigurong marami kang pinagdaanang trauma that you want to respect yourself so much and you have that wall then you have so much confidence to step on other people. For me, we should treat people with respect and kindness. That’s when the line gets too blurry when there’s too much self-love that you become egoistic and you disregard other people’s views.”

In another interview, you were quoted to have said you are an actress who can go an extra mile, what do you mean by that? What extra mile is that?

“Perhaps, the first extra mile that I took is this movie. I’ve never imagined myself doing this for a film but that’s the kind of actress that I really want to be. I always want to be fearless and bold. If I fall in love with the story and I believe in its intent, I will do whatever I have to do for the sake of art. Siguro when I say extra mile, gusto ko po talagang gawin y’ung mga takot na takot akong gawin. I’m always willing to take the risk because that’s where you grow — when you step outside of the box; when you dive in fear. Siguro dahil adrenaline junkie ako, I feel that also applies to the choices I make.”

I love that idea, great actors would talk about diving in fear, bringing that fear to that space when you do your art because that’s where brilliance and magic happen.

“Yes, most definitely, I want to live my life by that goal. I always want to dive in fear.”

How about you Rob, do you have that sense of danger as an actor?

“Ganun po talaga yung nangyari sa akin from the start of the film because I didn’t know what I was doing. I was so black I didn’t have any experience, I just relied on the experience of the people around me like Alexa, Marina Benipayo, direk Erik and everyone else. So, I’m just very thankful I’m here.”

What is a good kisser for you?

Alexa: “A good kisser is most definitely someone who doesn’t just like to envelop your lips with his entire mouth. He always has to be gentle. He knows how to start his lips in synchronization with yours; he knows when to put his tongue in. When it syncs, that’s the best. It doesn’t have to be rough. It also doesn’t have to be super slow or super soft, just the right balance.”

Rob: “I guess a good kisser would be all of what Alexa mentioned, you know, the slow, the fast, the hard, the soft, the wet.”

The film is about love, relationship, sex, friendship, loneliness, etc. In your generation, nauuna ba ang sex and then you get to know each other? Is sex in a relationship part of the ‘getting to know you’ stage?

Alexa: “That’s not always the case. I believe it can or cannot be part of the getting to know you process but I believe it’s very important in a relationship but that will depend on the connection that you guys have. If you’re compatible with each other then, sex comes naturally and that’s when you know it’s a very important part of a relationship. Still, depende yan sa tao — whether you want that in the getting to know stage or for later on, it’s up to them.”

Rob: “I’d like to say that chivalry is not dead. There are still guys who would go out of their way and make a really good effort to show you how they like you and sex may come after.”

Rob, are you single?

“Yes, just recently single. Nauna ako kay Alexa ng ilang linggo (laughs).”

You and Alexa have become very close and you did intimate scenes. Were there moments, Rob, when you started to like Alexa on a different level?

“What’s not to like about her? She’s amazing, a great actress and she inspired me a lot. She taught me a lot of basics like how to practice my lines and everything.”

Do you find him sexy, Alexa?

“Yes, he’s definitely sexy at malakas yung appeal n’ya. He’s also very sweet to everyone.”

You have a direct line to God, what would you tell Him?

“I trust You.”

Rob, you have a direct line sa Panginoong Diyos, what would you tell God?

“Thank you, challenge me more.”

You have a direct line to your exes, what would you tell them?

Alexa: “I’m sorry but thank you for everything.”

Rob: “Be smart, take care of yourself and I’ll see you at the top.”

You have a direct line to whoever is on top right now, what would you tell that person?

“I’m coming!”

Alexa, you have a direct line to whoever is on the top, what would you say?

“Let’s celebrate together when I get there.”