Philippine celebrities Kim Chiu and Paulo Avelino discussed their initial joint project for a major film, titled "My Love Will Make YouDisappear." They shared insights into how they came together, highlighting that this duo boasts an impressive social media reach of over 40 million followers when combining their platforms.
The romantic comedy, produced by ABS-CBN's Star Cinema — which is among the participants at Hong Kong FilMart — is scheduled for global release on March 28.
"I think this movie - romance and comedy - it's a Filipino thing that our culture really loves, about two people falling in love with each other," Chiu tells
Nation Daily News
The optimal time for audiences to experience this in theaters is now, as there are numerous events unfolding around us and many issues that people are currently addressing.
Directed by Chad Vidanes and written by Patrick Valencia and Isabella Policarpio, the film follows Sari (Chiu), a woman convinced she's cursed because every man she loves vanishes. When she meets Jolo (Avelino), a brooding landlord struggling with a failing apartment complex, they join forces to save a community from displacement.
The "KimPau" duo, as enthusiasts fondly refer to them, has been in development for many years. Avelino mentions his desire to collaborate with Chiu dates back to 2011. He recalls, “At such an early stage of my career, I sought out someone around my own age group to partner up with. Kim immediately sprang to mind due to her charming personality.”
In 2023, the pair joined forces for the television drama "Linlang," portraying characters who were depicted as a separated couple. They later starred in the Filipino adaptation of the popular South Korean show "What's Wrong With Secretary Kim" in 2024.
Their initial partnership wasn't without challenges. "My first impression of Paulo is he's the kind of guy that doesn't really talk, and my personality is really loud," Chiu recalls. "I'm quite nervous if he's OK with a co-worker that's very lovely, funny, out loud, always there."
Avelino agrees: "It was kind of awkward because the roles were totally different. I think it's one of Kim's first roles as well on the more mature side." But he adds that their relationship evolved naturally: "Eventually, like halfway through the shoot, we'd already start having lunch together on the set with our directors and the crew."
By the time they filmed "Secretary Kim," their chemistry was established, though Avelino admits the genre shift was challenging: "Everything was in place for Kim because that's, I would say, her forte. It's kind of awkward for me because to be honest, I don't do dramas or romantic comedy."
Both actors see parallels between themselves and their roles in "My Love Will Make You Disappear." Chiu says Sari is "70% similar to who I am in person," though she jokes, "the different thing about Sari and Kim is I'm not cursed. I know I'm not being cursed in love, absolutely."
Chiu brings her box office draw from hits like "Bride for Rent" and "The Ghost Bride," while Avelino leverages his dramatic chops from acclaimed turns in "Heneral Luna" and "Fan Girl."
But working on films versus television presents distinct challenges. "It's harder because people buy tickets to watch you in cinemas. So it has to be worth it," Chiu explains. "We have to be at our 100% best."
Avelino notes the primary difference is time: "For films in the Philippines, there's actually more time to develop it and shoot the scenes, where in TV, we get to shoot 10 to 20 scenes a day, which I find really hard."
There's a growing international interest for commercial Filipino films, with "Hello, Love, Again" recently shattering records, becoming the
first film from the Philippines to gross over PHP1 billion ($17 million) worldwide.
Avelino notes that there’s a particular sensation associated with commercial films and romance. The excitement and joy derived from watching them at the cinema isn’t overly intense nor is it faint.
When prompted to interpret the Tagalog term "kilig," which represents an exclusively Philippine idea, Chiu defines it as “the feeling when love tickles you, causing you to smile and discover inner joy that’s hard to describe.” Avelino expands upon this by saying it encompasses both the sensation of having butterflies in your stomach and experiencing your heart skipping a beat.
Both performers stress the importance of making movies that bring happiness to audiences. "It serves as an escape from your current challenges when you watch a film that uplifts your spirits," explains Chiu.
When queried about upcoming joint ventures, Chiu keeps the focus on their present film: "At the moment, our primary wish is for this movie to achieve great success, both within the Philippines and internationally," she states.
However, Avelino is already envisioning fresh categories to delve into with Chiu. He states, "I would enjoy collaborating with Kim once more, yet I prefer a distinct genre this time around. Perhaps we could create either a heart-wrenching drama, an action movie, or better still, achieve my long-held ambition—a science fiction film."
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