The timing is finally right for Aga and Jodi to work together
MANILA, Philippines — Aga Muhlach had one actress in mind to play opposite him in “2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7” — Jodi Sta. Maria.
The veteran star revealed that Jodi was his personal choice for Viva Films’ upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry and that he personally pushed for her to become part of the film.
“We really wanted her. We needed her,” Aga said during an exclusive Philippine STAR interview with Jodi at the Viva headquarters in Ortigas.
“Parang ang dating nito, baka medyo OA pakinggan, pero if it’s not her, parang it won’t work. Yun ang feeling ko talaga. So I really pushed for her.
“Thank you, Lord, ‘di ba, na nangyari lahat? Siyempre, hindi mo naman siya control, kung may ginagawa siya or ganyan. But the fact that she is here now, I’m the happiest because we have a good movie. And yung istorya niya, yung role niya, magdadala talaga.”
To which Jodi jokingly reacted, “Na-pressure naman ako dun, sandali!”
The sought-after female lead was formally introduced in last Friday’s presscon for the film, along with the rest of the cast.
Directed by Nuel Crisostomo Naval and written by Mel Mendoza-del Rosario, “2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7” comes seven years after the Philippine adaptation of the South Korean megahit of the same title competed in the 2019 festival and became its top-grossing film.
The new movie serves mainly as a prequel while also following up on the story of the first “Miracle in Cell No. 7.” Aga reprises his role as the mentally challenged father Lito wrongfully accused of a crime, while Jodi joins the second installment as Angela, who becomes part of his life and the mother of their daughter Yesha (Xia Vigor).
The project also fulfills Aga’s long-standing wish to finally work with Jodi.
“I’ve always wanted to work with her, pero hindi lang natimingan. Parang, you know, tumanda na rin kasi ako. I’ve always wanted to do one with her before, when we were younger. Hindi nangyayari,” he said.
“And then this movie came about. Parang ito yung perfect (vehicle). Kasi parang kung gagawa kami ng love story, the two of us, a normal guy and a normal girl, parang sa panahon ngayon? Ang hirap gumawa ng pelikula ngayon.
“Ang hirap, hindi mo alam if it’s still gonna work. But in this movie, a hundred percent. This is my gut feel.”
Jodi, meanwhile, said she was almost “speechless” upon learning that she was Aga’s personal choice.
“No, but really, I’m really grateful to be part of this project and thankful because siyempre yung tiwala, iba yung trust na ibinigay sa akin ni Kuya Aga at siyempre ng Viva,” she continued.
“Alam naman natin back in 2019, napanood ko siya and it’s a really good film. And I really wasn’t expecting this for this year kasi parang I felt like this (2026), quota na ako sa mga ginawa kong pelikula, mga reality shows, na parang (supposedly) chill na ako for this year.
“And then this came along and really, it’s just a sweet surprise. And I’m just so thankful and really grateful for this opportunity na makasama ang lahat,” she reiterated.
Jodi said she also looked forward to sharing scenes with the film’s ensemble, which includes Joel Torre and Mon Confiado.
“I mean, the cast of this film is no joke. Of course, you have Kuya Aga, you have Joel Torre, Mon Confiado, mga aktor. And, you know, parang naiisip ko pa lang na, ‘Oh my gosh,’ it’s going to be — I mean, for me, personally — a playground for me where I’m just going to enjoy having beautiful scenes with all these great actors.
“So that’s what I’m really looking forward to do.”
Aga, for his part, further shared that his belief that Jodi was meant for the project was reinforced during their look test.
“Nung nag-look test kami, siyempre hindi naman kami magkakilala. (I mean) magkakilala kami pero hindi naman kami nagkasama talaga. So nung nagkita kami roon, nakabantay ako sa monitor, and yung unang labas niya, ganun ako, nakasilip talaga ako. Pakialamero kasi ako.
“Tinitingnan ko. Sabi ko, tamang-tama talaga yung rehistro niya. Siya talaga yun. And even when we did the scene together, parang nag-shoot lang kami, naglakad lang kami. Pagtingin ko sa kanya, parang yung ini-imagine ko na.
“Kasi kailangan ko ng tulong. Parang yung role ko kasi, ‘di ba, yung bata na ganun, paano ka ma-in love? Paano ka mamahalin? Paano ako magmamahal?
“Siya talaga siya. You just see it. Nagkataon lang na eksakto talaga for this movie rin.”
For Aga, their long-delayed screen partnership finally taking place was also a matter of timing.
“So tama-tama yung sinasabi natin na God’s perfect time. It’s gonna happen. So I think this is God’s perfect time kasi nangyari ’to, siya yung bagay, umoo siya,” he said.
Turning to Jodi, Aga added, “Ang dami kong ikukuwento tungkol diyan talaga, kung alam mo lang yung journey na ’to para makasama ka. So masaya lang ako. I can’t wait to start filming with her.”
As for why revisit “Miracle in Cell No. 7” when the first movie already felt complete, Aga said, “Because merong istorya. Meron pa talaga. It’s a prequel. So there’s gonna be more appreciation sa first one after you watch this film. Kung maganda na yun, kung nagustuhan na nila, maraming salamat. But there’s gonna be more appreciation na parang, ‘Oh, okay.’ Mas nagkaroon ng laman lalo.
“Kumbaga, hindi na kailangan ng tulong nung una kasi tapos na yun. But para mas magkakalaman pa siya because of what will happen here.”
Aga, nevertheless, stressed they could only make the best film they could and leave its reception to the audience.
“That’s just our job. Parang maghanap ng magandang istorya, gawing pelikula, ipalabas sa tao. We promote it and it’s really up to them,” he said.
“Kaya ka naman gumagawa ng pelikula, hindi naman para sa amin. Para maipalabas at mapanood ng tao. So para sa kanila. Sana magustuhan nila.”
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