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This Christmas, join the magic of “When I Met You in Tokyo” as Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon reunite on the big screen as they weave an enchanting love story that transcends boundaries, promising an unforgettable experience in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).

During the major press conference of the film, Vilma was not able to attend physically but she made it a point to join via teleconferencing from her home in Lipa, Batangas. She quipped to her love team partner Boyet, “Walang bitawan, ha, Yetbo, ha? Hanggang dulo, ha? Kailangan ipakita natin sa kanila na we can offer something different this coming Metro Manila Film Festival.”

Boyet also brought kilig and nostalgia to the audience as he sang the theme song of the film, “When I Met You.”

Check out our photos from their latest presscon with the cast and key staff plus special guests.

In an exclusive interview with entertainment editors, Christopher De Leon, the King of Philippine Drama, passionately shared insights into the secret behind his long-time onscreen partnership with the Star for All Seasons, Vilma Santos.

Reflecting on their collaboration with past directors, De Leon detailed how their guidance helped them crack the code in making their love team work. Using hand gestures, he reenacted the instructions, emphasizing the need to convey a “fall in love” look, exchange glances, and embrace each other to bring authenticity to their onscreen chemistry.

The seasoned actor explained the importance of adopting specific techniques and becoming attuned to the demands of each scene. However, he also cautioned against the potential pitfalls that could jeopardize a loveteam, particularly emphasizing the risks associated with developing a romantic relationship off-screen. Vilma Santos, the other half of their decades-long partnership, nodded in agreement, highlighting the importance of maintaining professionalism and avoiding personal conflicts.

Commenting on the recent breakup of the popular loveteam KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla), Vilma Santos expressed sympathy, acknowledging the disappointment among fans. She emphasized the challenge of sustaining a loveteam’s longevity and hoped for the best for the former couple’s personal and career paths.

The dynamic duo of Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon is set to make a comeback in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) with their film “When I Met You in Tokyo.” This love story, which conveys the message that love knows no boundaries, showcases the couple’s commitment beyond acting. They see their involvement as a way to support emerging producers and contribute to revitalizing the Philippine film industry amidst the challenges posed by the pandemic and the rise of diverse streaming platforms.

Supervising producer Redgie Acuña-Magno highlighted the hands-on approach of both actors in various aspects of the film, commending Boyet’s creative influence as one of the creative directors and Ate Vi’s active contributions to enhance each scene, many of which were beautifully captured in Japan. The lead actors actively participated in refining scenes and ensuring a seamless narrative flow, showcasing their significant role in elevating the overall quality of the film.

As the MMFF countdown begins, the “When I Met You in Tokyo” team has kicked off a series of activities, including a successful Eat Bulaga! guesting and fan events in Batangas, Pampanga, and Cebu. With the film’s lead stars and supporting cast, the anticipation is building for the annual star-studded parade at MMFF 2023, promising exciting times ahead for Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon, along with the rest of the cast.