John Lloyd & Bea’s ‘love team’ still going strong after almost 20 years

MANILA, Philippines — Anyone can certainly find that their chemistry is perfect. That’s why fans find joy in seeing John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo together again on screen after a little over half a decade.

Jollibee Studios made it possible for John Lloyd and Bea to be reunited through its original content titled One True Pair The Movie, directed by JP Habac. Now streaming on Jollibee’s YouTube Channel, the 30-minute film presents a poignant and heart-tugging story that tells about a lasting kind of love.

“At Jollibee, we have told so many stories about love and its different kinds. Now, we are looking at a love that goes beyond romance – a love that’s unflinching and a love that lasts,” said Francis Flores, Jollibee Foods Corporation Philippines country-regional marketing head.

“With One True Pair The Movie, we wanted to deliver that powerful message of how some pairs are perfect because their love is one that goes beyond romance.”

One can’t help but smile while watching John Lloyd and Bea because they were telling their lines as if they really had a romantic past.

Who wouldn’t feel oh so “in-love,” hearing lines like, “Kamusta puso mo?” from John Lloyd and Bea responded with, “Nadurog pero tumitibok pa rin.” And this, “Tingin mo kung umamin tayo sa tao, matutuwa pa rin ba sila sa atin?”

According to direk JP, “Kitang-kita mo ‘yung chemistry at hindi s’ya naging struggle palabasin kasi andoon na talaga.”

During the virtual media conference, Bea and John Lloyd expressed their happiness over their reunion project.

“I always look forward to working again with John Lloyd because as we all know he’s such a brilliant actor, he keeps me on my toes and every time I work with him, mag-kakasama ‘yung lahat ng emotions — it’s both nerve-wracking and also comforting.”

John Lloyd, on the other hand, found the experience surreal “because when I was away, I never thought that this would happen again. It’s always a joy and a gift to work with Bea. So, this is another memorable experience.”

Bea teased that the actor gets emotional every time he talks about them working together. But she couldn’t deny that she, too, misses that experience of having “kulitan at tawanan” behind the scenes with John Lloyd.

“I’m most comfortable working with John Lloyd because we’ve been working together for so long. Na-miss ko yung ganung level of comfort and being myself. Actually, we’re celebrating our 20th year as a love team next year. Mas mahaba pa kaysa ibang marriages (laughs).”

“’Pag andyan si Bea,” John Lloyd chimed in, “parang dumadali ‘yung process kahit ano pa ang nasa harap namin. Perhaps, it would be difficult to do (project), if she’s not my partner.”

He believed Bea is an ally “and she sees through me,” especially when it comes to choking points in the scenes. “There were intimidating obstacles but with just one look at each other, you know that she understands and that alone, very comforting; magaan.”

“We both share the kind of energy that I couldn’t explain,” observed Bea. “Yun yata ‘yung tinatawag nila na chemistry.”

John Lloyd also appreciated how the production team valued their comments and creative inputs.

Bea agreed and declared that they had so much fun collaborating with the team. “Our voices were really heard.”

Meanwhile, John Lloyd and Bea gladly entertained the seemingly endless questions during the media call. Here are excerpts from the interview.

John Lloyd, how will you know if a woman is your one true pair?

“I guess you’ll just know. Hindi lang ikaw ‘yung element in the process of knowing. Time is a vital element at kung sinuman ‘yung mag-pro-provide ng sagot, I think you can always pinpoint in the situation or circumstances. It can be case to case or iba yung proseso o pangyayari, so I think ‘pag dumating s’ya, malalaman mo na lang.”

Bea, what do you look for in your one true pair?

“I think it’s so difficult to put in a box what are the things you particularly look at in a person. Like John Lloyd said, ‘pag may dumating, you’ll just know. You will feel the connection, you’ll understand each other. But perhaps at this point in my life, parang ang hinahanap ko yung honesty and kindness because if you trust the person, everything else follows and that’s a good foundation.”

What kind of love is the best love?

Bea: “Self-love. If you love yourself, mag-kakaroon ka ng self-respect and you cannot give what you don’t have. So, you have to fill your heart with so much love, na p’wede mo maibalik sa tao.”

How do you achieve your one true pair?

John Lloyd: “I don’t know but I think chemistry happens if there are opposing elements but I’m not saying that if you share similarities with a person ay hindi mag-cre-create ng spark.”

Bea: “It’s very important to me that I share the same values with my partner. Hindi ba kahit na opposite (personalities), yung likes and dislikes n’yo, that’s fine. But sometimes if you don’t share the same values, doon nag-kakaroon ng mga differences na di nag-wo-workout (relationship).”

It’s common to have arguments. But do you believe in taking sides?

John Lloyd: “For two people, who are ready to talk about whatever the complicated situation is, hindi ito matatawag na fighting or argument. Wala namang kailangan pag-awayan kasi pwede naman pag-usapan.”

Bea: “Even if you have a misunderstanding, you always have to give and receive because you should know that at the end of the day, you still want to stay together. The relationship is like an extension of yourselves. If you intend to stick together, then you can both surpass any challenges.”

When you have already found “the one,” how will you share your romance and love to the world?

John Lloyd: “Mahirap awatin (laughs). It will just overflow, baka kulang ang mundo para saluhin ‘yun.”

Do you believe in soulmates?

Bea: “I do believe in soulmates and destiny. I know that there’s a right person for me, but I also believe that a soulmate is not limited to a romantic partner. For me, soulmates are two people who have this unbreakable bond.”

John Lloyd: “I also believe a soulmate is not limited to the context of romance. Your soulmate is the one whom you have the strongest bond with. In your life, kung mahanap mo yung soulmate mo, I guess, you’re lucky because not everyone can easily find a soulmate.”

(One True Pair The Movie is only the first of many other Jollibee Studios’ exclusive and original content that stars popular celebrities. Subscribe now to Jollibee Studios’ YouTube Channel.)